I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
As the 19-seater Beech aircraft descended out of the clouds, the sweeping shores and magnificent rainforests revealed themselves a couple of thousand feet below.
Sadly, that was about as close to the likes of Long Beach, Cox Bay and South Chesterman’s as I was going to get Tuesday, as a VIP passenger on Pacific Coastal’s first, scheduled, daily flight from YVR’s south terminal in Richmond to Tofino.
I had been given the option to stay over – rather than get back on the inaugural reverse flight – but my wife baulked at the suggestion of me setting foot on the aforementioned beaches without her.
Suffice to say, if you’ve ever been to Tofino, you will feel my pain.
On the flip side, there were those brimming with joy Tuesday at the prospect of not having to face the arduous, six-hour plus journey via car-ferry-car to get to the glory of Tofino and its equally stunning Ucluelet neighbour.
On the way there, 42 minutes from tarmac to tarmac, and only 38 on the way back.
The sound of the propellers turning on the twin-engine aircraft were music to the ears of Richmond-based businessman Perry Askounis, who owns Reef Point Cottages in Ucluelet, and has been doing “the drive” once or twice a month for more than 15 years.
Other operators, KD Air and Orca Air, have been running daily scheduled services to Tofino for some time. But Pacific Coastal’s 19-seater is the largest aircraft to be used for the route to date, with the option to increase to a 34-seater if demand spikes.
“It cuts down massively on the travel time and the uncertainty with the ferries and possible accidents,” said Askounis.
“I have a full staff over there, but obviously I need to be there from time to time.”
As for potential customers, Askounis said the barrier of the journey being lifted and offered at a reasonable cost could be a boon.
“It will also help with people being able to connect with other destinations, from the likes of Kelowna,” he added.
“That six-hour journey, with stopping time, it can be a problem for some people.”
Kevin Boothroyd, Pacific Coastal’s director of Business Development and Corporate Communications, said the Richmond-based airline simply couldn’t ignore the boom in tourism in Tofino any longer.
“We’ve been looking at this for a while but the timing wasn’t right and we just had other fish to fry, so to speak,” said Boothroyd.
“Over the last couple of years, the tourism numbers over there have just gone through the roof.
“Secondly, the main highway in and out of Tofino is going to be under construction for a couple of years. That highway can get crazy.
“We’re now able to get you there in 45 minutes for the same price, depending on the day etc., as the cost of ferry and car fuel.”
Looking at the prices for next week, for example, a one-way ticket, fees and taxes included, ranges from $144 to $227 on the way out and $138 to $200 on the way back, depending on the day.
In essence, the price point appears to be in range for many people, not just Metro Vancouver’s rich and allegedly famous.
“This is for everybody; there’s a lot of people who love spending time in Tofino and getting there has always been a huge challenge,” added Boothroyd.
“This is also in response to the community (in Tofino) wanting larger aircraft coming in. It’s also a wedding capital of Canada, so we could upgrade and take large groups of people.”
In peak season, the service will run twice a day from June 4 to Sept. 3 on Fridays and Sundays.
And if you’re concerned about how to get to and from the airport to your resort or accommodation, the airline is offering a fee-based shuttle service for around $25 per person one way.
Tofino mayor Josie Osborne, one of the VIPs on the tarmac on the west coast side, told the Richmond News how the new service is a “game-changer.”
“This is huge…for the west coast, having Tofino and Ucluelet connected to so many communities in B.C. and also for people flying into YVR now able to transfer over with little time and trouble,” said Osborne.
“I’m taking this flight tomorrow and I think more people here, who couldn’t afford to fly before, will now think about it.
“We already have two airlines flying in and out of here, but competition is always a good thing and helps with the pricing and getting a seat at short notice.”
The new flight operates seven days a week, leaving YVR 3 p.m. with the return flight from Tofino leaving at 4:15 p.m.
