Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Rudder Bug
Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
those ex-baxter machines WERE very nice... They look a little dodgy now however. No idea on how they've been maintained nor do i care to jump to conclusions.
So now what exactly did HA aquire with the purchase.. seeing as many of the machines were supposedly leased? The old 100 series twins? A couple of company vehicles and dock space in nanaimo and vic? The "brand" ?
So now what exactly did HA aquire with the purchase.. seeing as many of the machines were supposedly leased? The old 100 series twins? A couple of company vehicles and dock space in nanaimo and vic? The "brand" ?
- viccoastdog
- Rank 3
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:19 pm
- Location: White Rock
Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
By buying WCA, HA stopped anyone else buying WCA and therefore have a lock on the YWH (Vic Harbour) dock space. The barriers to entry for any competitor on the YWH to YHC sked market are now impossibly high.
YHC (Van Harbour) may have more dockspace for other operators when the new seaplane docks at the convention centre are completed, but there's nothing left at YWH (except for Hyack dock, but the price to use it is ridiculous).
YHC (Van Harbour) may have more dockspace for other operators when the new seaplane docks at the convention centre are completed, but there's nothing left at YWH (except for Hyack dock, but the price to use it is ridiculous).
Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
They also get the coveted sechelt base! 

Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
Just wondering, wouldn't it make sense to keep two separate companies, so as to keep the competitors out of CXH and YHW?
I was told that in both cities, the local chamber of commerce wouldn't give out new operating licenses because there were already enough airlines operating there. I know Seair has desperately wanted to get into both cities, but couldn't get a license. If WCA and HA becomes one, that opens up a spot for a new competitor to move in. Would seem like a good idea to own both companies, but keep them separate for the illusion of competition, but in reality its a monopoly.
And what I heard, is that it wasn't HA that bought WCA, but the owner of HA personally bought WCA, which would hint that they would be separate?
I was told that in both cities, the local chamber of commerce wouldn't give out new operating licenses because there were already enough airlines operating there. I know Seair has desperately wanted to get into both cities, but couldn't get a license. If WCA and HA becomes one, that opens up a spot for a new competitor to move in. Would seem like a good idea to own both companies, but keep them separate for the illusion of competition, but in reality its a monopoly.
And what I heard, is that it wasn't HA that bought WCA, but the owner of HA personally bought WCA, which would hint that they would be separate?
Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
Any updates? I've heard the WCA employees had to reapply for their jobs, and only half would be re-hired.
Re: Harbour Air Buys West Coast Air
There were a bunch of the wca guys slotted up and trained on the turbo otter. HA was shortstaffed so it worked. I dont think anyone will lose a job at this point. Should be an interesting summer out west.
Was kind of nuts seeing the borek twin, an HA -3T, a west coast beaver and then the seair caravan all on the flying beaver dock the other day..
Was kind of nuts seeing the borek twin, an HA -3T, a west coast beaver and then the seair caravan all on the flying beaver dock the other day..