Air seat capacity to BC is going to decline this summer according to an article published by Tourism British Columbia (TBC). Based on airline schedules as of May 2002, total non-stop inbound seat capacity to BC is expected to decrease an average of 7.8 per cent from June to August. Seat capacities from Vancouver to other airports within BC are also expected to decrease this summer. Hardest hit will be Cranbrook and Fort St. John, while Prince George, Penticton and Smithers will experience growth in air capacity over the summer months. Capacity between Vancouver and Victoria declined 22 per cent in June alone. Overall, flights from Vancouver to the outstretched regions of the province will decline 6.0 per cent. As founding members of the British Columbia Airline Industry Merger Consortium (BC AIM), TBC and COTA have been working side by side to promote the integral role of air transport to B.C.'s regions. With Air Canada's agreement to continue service to all communities ending in January 2003, BC AIM contends that the federal government must look at options and include the consideration of an essential air service program.

For the latest tourism research on British Columbia, visit www.tourism.bc.ca.