Pacific Coastal Airlines has resumed a shuttle service from Trail to Penticton to get passengers in the air when flights are cancelled in Trail due to weather.
“Although we strive to always offer consistent flight service to the West Kootenay, we want to ensure that a reliable backup option is available to passengers in the region,” the company said in a statement.
The shuttle was launched for the first time on Jan. 27 of this year. It operates between Oct. 1 and March 31. After checking the forecast each morning, airline staff decide whether to provide the shuttle to get passengers from Trail to the airport in Penticton.
Passengers are notified by phone and email around 9:30 a.m. advising them of their options. Those taking advantage of the shuttle have to be at the airport by 11:15 a.m. and the shuttle departs at noon. It arrives in Penticton around 4:30 p.m., where passengers get on a flight to Vancouver.
Passengers coming from Vancouver to Trail will also be accommodated on flights arriving in Penticton. The Trail shuttle will leave Penticton at 5 p.m. and arrive in Trail about 9:30 p.m.
City councillor Thea Hanson said she was “delighted” with the shuttle’s return.
“It’s a practical and much-needed solution that ensures our residents and visitors can continue to travel safely and reliably, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate,” she said. “We appreciate Pacific Coastal Airlines’ commitment to keeping Trail and the West Kootenay connected.”
“The return of the Trail shuttle service gives travellers peace of mind, knowing they’ll reach their destination by a guaranteed time — without the stress of waitlists or uncertainty,” councillor Paul Butler said. “It’s a dependable solution that puts passengers first.”
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