1. HARBOUR AIR SEAPLANES
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In the early 1980’s, Windoak Air Services based in Prince Rupert,
provided seaplane services for the forestry industries and local fishing lodges in the
northern areas of British Columbia. Unfortunately, in 1981 the resource industry was
collapsing and the logging industry was hit hard. The float business dried up. A young
pilot, Greg McDougall and his pilot friend decided they want to stay in the float plane
business. They borrowed some capital from relatives and friends then leased two de
Havilland Beaver seaplanes. In 1982, Harbour Air was established to provide services
to the remaining forestry industry and fishing lodges. Gradually their seaplane business
catered to the tourism and film industry.
EXPO 1986, placed Vancouver as a worldwide tourist destination. This
created a great opportunity and the demand for floatplanes to provide scenic nature
tours in British Columbia. In 1993, Trans Provincial Air Lines went bankrupt and
Harbour Air purchased the company’s assets, additional aircraft and property in
Northern, Southern B.C. and Queen Charlottes region. With this new acquisition,
Harbour Air added additional flights to service fishing resorts and increased schedule
services to remote locations. In 2010, Harbour Air purchased West Coast Air and
Whistler Air in 2012. Tantalus Air was created in 2013 to provide the only land based
charter in B.C.
Since 1982, Harbour Air has grown to be the “largest seaplane airline in
the world” with a fleet of 40 aircraft and 400 plus employees. Harbour Air received 10
awards in excellence in aviation and management

2. HARBOUR AIR SEAPLANES
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2 VISION/MISSION
“SERVICE, COMFORT, SAFETY”
In the past, the safety culture in the floatplane industry was very
unsophisticated, with a casual attitude. The old bush pilot mentality of, ‘play it by ear’,
‘just wing it’ or ‘a good pilot was the guy who got there on the days when no else would’.
Harbour Air decided out of necessity to transform the safety culture and build the
business as a reputable regional commuter airline. The company continued to evolve
and never become complacent about air safety.
At times, the west coast of British Columbia experiences adverse weather
conditions. Mostly in early fall, winter, and spring with heavy, rain, and wind. Visibility is
a major factor with floatplanes. Harbour Air had to develop a ‘Safety Management
System’ (SMS). The company does not allow flights when visibility is less than 2 miles,
and 300 feet at destinations or departure points. Also, floatplanes are grounded if wind
speeds are above 28 miles per hour. When the floatplanes are tied up due to weather
conditions, Harbour Air’s plan ‘B’ goes in effect. ‘Customer Service’ is a very important
factor, which seems to be absent in mayor airline operations. They notify their
customers via e - mail, phone, or website notification of weather conditions. Harbour
Air arrange alternative travel via bus, taxi, and other air charters with no extra cost, at
the least amount of inconvenience to their loyal and to new customers.
The company’s vision has been influenced from past personal and corporate
experiences. Their strength was developed by maintaining high standards on employee.
and equipment They believe in maintaining a strong relationships and co-operation with
other services in the travel industry.

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3 SLOGAN / MOTTO
“YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE……. ELEVATED”
As any mayor airlines, they need to communicate effectively with their
customers. It is important to meet and exceed their expectations. An example of how
Harbour Air accomplish these challenges is that they have a Guest Services
Coordinator who monitors and receives information. This information is gathered
through feedback from their customers, inquiries and concerns, through social media
such as Harbour Air’s website, Facebook, Twitter and Trip Advisor.
There is a Customer Care Department which receives questions, concerns and
comments. They promise that real ‘local’ people receive the information and will get a
reply from one of their team members. It’s their guarantee!
4 HUBS/DESTINATIONS
There are two mayor hubs; Vancouver Coal Harbour (CHX) and Victoria Inner
Harbour (YVH). There are two minor hubs; Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and
Nanaimo Harbour (ZNA). Harbour Air have regular scheduled services to the Gulf
Islands, Comox, Sechelt, Nanaimo, Victoria, Richmond, Vancouver, Pitt Meadows and
Whistler which is seasonal.

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5 FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM
Harbour Air has a “Frequent Flyer Rewards” program, however, it is a small
unique regional airline and does not have a credit card program, nor the point system in
place that larger airlines provide. If a customer has credit card loyalty points, they can
purchase Harbour Air flights, and be credited on their credit card point system. There is
also loyalty card program in place with two different levels; ‘High Flyer Member’ and
‘High Flyer Elite’. These programs use ‘select seating’ on selected aircraft,
priority ’standby’, ‘baggage handling’, ‘call out’ and ‘reservation wait list’. A card
member may collect points with paid regular flights and tour packages. The points
expire two years after the last flight, and members cannot donate their miles to charities.
6 ALLIANCE
As a small regional floatplane airline, Harbour Air has limited amount of Air
Alliances. Coastal Pacific Airlines based in South Terminal (YVR), has been chartered
when adverse coastal weather grounds the fleet. During the summer peak season,
Harbour Air may charter smaller floatplane companies such as, SeaAir, West Coast Air,
Whistler Air and, Tantalus Air.

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7 LOUNGES/ RESTAURANTS
Harbour Air does not have airport lounges similar to mayor airlines. However,
most terminal bases have sitting area for their guests to relax, and utilize complimentary
wi/fi, newspaper, magazine, coffee, and snacks. In Richmond and Victoria guests
receive 20 percent off their meals at the local restaurant/pub, Flying Beaver and,Flying
Otter.
8 BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Harbour Air’s fleet is comprised of two Twin Otters, 21 Otters, nine Beavers,
and four small aircrafts. The aircrafts mentioned have limited amount of cargo space
and load capacity. The luggage allowance (per person) is very limited.
Travel between~ Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Pitt Meadows and Gulf Is.
- is 25lbs
~YVR-YVH-ZNA - is 50lbs
~YVR- Sechelt -is 25lbs
Should a guest require additional space and guarantee for luggage allotted up
to 200 pounds, an additional seat on the aircraft must be purchased.

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9 CARBON NUETRAL
In 2007, Harbour Air became the first airline in North America to achieve
carbon neutrality. Employees approached the management and presented an idea. As
a responsible corporate company Harbour Air, took the steps to measure and
understanding its greenhouse gas emissions throughout its daily operations.
Employees monitored and measured the emission data for a carbon footprint with the
help of “Offsetters’. Harbour Air implemented greenhouse gas management (GHG).
This was a new concept for the company employees and customers. It was calculated
50 –cent per leg premium was levied against the purchase of a flight ticket. Both the
company and their passengers accepted the concept. The number of guests in the
subsequent year increased by 12-15 percent. The company has offset more than
37,000 metric tons, of greenhouse gas emissions through funding of energy efficiency
and fuel–switching projects in British Columbia
10 FIVE UNIQUE FACTS
1. Flying with Harbour Air is an efficient and fun way to travel.
2. Harbor Air refers to itself as the “world’s” largest all seaplane airline”
3. Became North America’s first carbon neutral airline.
4. From 2009-2012 received 11 awards and accolades
5. In case of foul weather, the company will make alternative travel plans