At Cheltenham, Victoria, in 1949 to provide domestic, all-cargo charter and contract service flights. The company also serves as freight forwarding operation. Operations continue apace for the next quarter century.
In 1973, the carrier and its 3 Douglas DC-3Fs are purchased by Signet Insurance Holdings, Ltd., Linfox Transport, Ltd., and Donlin Investments, Ltd. The freighter’s name is changed to BBA Cargo (Pty.), Ltd. in early 1976. However, as the result of serious financial losses, a pilot’s pay dispute, and a dispute between the owners and managers over reequipment plans, the company shuts its doors in April.
BC AIRLINES, LTD.: Canada (1943-1970). This carrier is incorporated at Vancouver in 1943, but cannot begin operations due to a wartime lack of planes and crews. With two float-equipped Luscombes, local services are inaugurated in 1946 over routes transferred from Queen Charlotte Airways, Ltd.
In 1947-1958, the carrier establishes 10 bases at points between Vancouver and Prince Rupert and assembles a route network featuring more than 600 small stops.
The fleet progresses from 1 Globe Swift, 1 Fairchild Model 71,1 Stinson 108, 1 WACO, 4 Luscombe Model 8 Silveraires, 6 Republic RC-3 SeaBees, and 2 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers to Cessna 170s/ 180s and Grumman G-21 Gooses; with each type, complete capability is the key.
As a result of a major Canadian route realignment, the company, on May 26, 1959, acquires the British Columbia routes of Pacific Western Airlines, Ltd., together with that line’s 2 Grumman G-73 Mallards. During the summer, one of the newly painted Mallards flies Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip from Kamloops to Pennash Lack, British Columbia, during the royal visit to Canada.
A third Mallard joins the fleet in 1960 and operations continue apace in 1961-1962. Enplanements in 1963 reach 77,905.
Airline employment in 1964 stands at 120 and the fleet includes 29 aircraft. The Air Transport Board upgrades the company’s routes linking Prince Rupert and Queen Charlotte Islands from Class 3 to Class 2, making them regularly scheduled instead of irregular. Two more DHC-2s and 2 more Cessna 180s are acquired. Passenger boardings climb 16% to 92,744 and freight traffic rises 46.5%.
Twenty-eight employees are hired in 1965 and 4 more aircraft are acquired, including several Found FBA2Cs. Passenger boardings accelerate to 90,000. The first wheels-only aircraft, a DHC-6-100 Twin Otter, is purchased in 1967.
The small floatplanes are sold in 1968-1969 and 4 ex-Allegheny Airlines Nord 262s added as carriers begin to emphasize scheduled commuter services over routes from Vancouver to Tofino, Tahais, Bella Bella, Namu, Ocean Falls, Bella Coola, Penticton, Castlegar, Cran-brook, Kelowna, Kamloops, William Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, Smithers and Terrace.
BC Airlines, Ltd. is purchased by Pacific Western Airlines, Ltd. in 1970 and absorbed.
World History
