User:Ecpiandy/Penticton Regional Airport

Penticton Regional Airport is a regional airport that is located 1.8 NM southwest of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. It is owned and operated by Transport Canada and serves the South Okanagan, Similkameen and West Kootenay. The airport has a 6000 by runway numbered 16–34. Rights for temporary public use of this airport was conducted in 1945 for an operation of 24 hours, which was later promoted to a permanent airport license. Penticton Regional Airport had approximately 80,000 passengers in 2011, and a number of accidents and incidents have occurred at it.

History
Initial examination for constructing an airport in Penticton began in 1937 at two locations. The proposed locations—west of Penticton's city centre and north of the Skaha Lake—were owned by the Penticton Indian Band, and was therefore expropriated in 1949, with the preliminary development of the airfield completing in 1941. Due to wartime air military transportation concerns, the airport acted as an emergency landing strip until its tarmac could be completed. Rights for a temporary public use airport was conducted in 1945 for an operation of 24 hours. In 1946, more land was acquired from the Indian band for the Penticton Regional Airport. Trans-Canada Airlines, which is now known as Air Canada, and Canadian Pacific Air Lines served as the airport's airline after World War II.

In 1956, Penticton Regional Airport was promoted to a permanent license, replacing the former temporary permit. The airport's runway was extended in 1959, and a new terminal was built in 1963. In 1968, the airport extended its services, having scheduled two daily flights at that time, only to be taken over by Pacific Western Airlines the following year. However, in 1988, Canadian Airlines ended this. An aviation center was constructed on the airport in 1976, which included a 12-unit motel, flight training school, and aircraft overhaul shop; the last is no longer being maintained. Later, a helicopter flight and training club was introduced to Penticton Regional Airport. Pacific Coastal Airlines offered its services at the Penticton Regional Airport for twelve months, ending in 2009. During this time, the airport obtained 22,000 more customers than it would have done without the airline.

It is considered to be a port of entry that serves Americans coming to Canada. The airport has been able to support emergency 747 landings since the 1970s, but this capability has never been tested. Boeing 727–200, Boeing 737–400, Boeing 737–700 and Airbus 320 aircraft have used this airport. It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada, being staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency. An aircraft at this airport can handle no more than 30 passengers. It is owned and operated by Transport Canada, with David Allen serving as the airport's manager.

Facilities
The airport is located at 3000 Airport Road in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, 1.8 NM southwest of city centre. Paid parking, taxis and car rental are available, but there is no bus service available to the airport. Food and snacks are also available at this airport, as well as medical facility and accommodation areas. There is a flight school at the Penticton Regional Airport.

The airfield has a 6000 by runway aligned 16–34. This facility maintains a management plan to keep geese off of their runways and properties. The Penticton Flying Club operates at the airport, which is a club where children get to sit and flight in an airplane with the pilot, and learn about the airplanes.

Airlines and destinations
Penticton Regional Airport is served by Air Canada Express, which is operated by Jazz Air. The service is provided three times each day, with the exception of Sunday; two flights are provided that day. Feedback from the public indicated that an additional daily flights should be added to the airport. In 2010, the airport had 34,946 aircraft movements, and in 2011, it had approximately 80,000 passengers. There is a proposal and campaign to bring airline WestJet to the airport, which lead to the airport being renamed to "WestJetville" for one day in June 2012. City mayor Dan Ashton stated that the idea was "terrific", and WestJet executives announced they were willing to offer their services at a regional airport.

In November 2012, the company claimed they were going to offer "dramatically" lower prices than Air Canada Express. The same month, WestJet executives voted 91 percent in favor of the launch of a regional airline. The company's service is scheduled to start in 2013. Ashton has also proposed that Air Canada Express expand its services by adding direct flights to the Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport; this is now part of the campaign. There has also been consideration for the airport to provide direct flights to the Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport by Air Canada.

Accidents and incidents
On August 19, 2011, a Cessna aircraft's nose fell into the tarmac at the Penticton Regional Airport; the pilot remained uninjured. On April 17, 2012, an aircraft had a harsh landing at the airport; it obtained "repairable" damage, according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). On August 14, 2012, an aircraft that originally departed at the Kelowna International Airport made a stop at the Penticton Regional Airport, before the initial trip to the Victoria International Airport was continued.

Shortly after the plane left the Penticton Regional Airport, it crashed in Peachland, British Columbia—which is near Kelowna —while attempting to go up a mountain; one passenger died, while three others were injured. The incident has been compared to an another that occurred on August 17, 2010, in which an aircraft crashed down Penticton's Apex Mountain, while also attempting to also go up it. It was suggested that these incidents occurred due to the pilot's inexperience with mountains.