PWA (Pacific Western Airlines)

  July 1945 to March 1987

  Canada

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TYPE: Airline

IATA/ICAO CODES: PW / PWA

HEADQUARTERS: Richmond, BC (1946-1974), Calgary, AB (1974-1987)

OTHER NAMES: Central British Columbia Airlines (CBCA) (1945-1953), Pacific Western Airlines (PWA) (1953-1987)

SUBSEQUENT NAME: Canadian Airlines International (after purchasing Canadian Pacific Air Lines, 1987)

Central British Columbia Airlines (CBCA) was founded on 8 July 1945 by pilots Russ Baker and Walter Gilbert, with financing from Karl John Springer, a renowned prospector and mine developper.[1] The company was based in Prince George and Fort St. James, British Columbia. Baker initially secured a contract with the British Columbia Forest Service to patrol for forest fires, and Springer advanced $150,000 at 6% interest, secured by aircraft and other CBCA property. Early operations included air service to remote mining camps and logging operations in the North, delivering men and materials to isolated destinations. From 1949, CBCA was commissioned to do aerial surveys for the giant aluminium and power complexes deep in the British Columbian mountains.

Between 1949 and 1952, the company acquired seven other smaller flying services, each time expanding its base of operations. From 1953, the company changed its name to Pacific Western Airlines (PWA). Expansion continued in 1955 through the purchase of two other operators: Queen Charlotte Airlines, leading to PWA's first scheduled services, and Associated Airways, providing a vital contract in the construction of the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line in Canada's arctic regions.

In 1959, PWA took over 18 scheduled routes from Canadian Pacific Airlines, from Edmonton to various destionations in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. In addition to growing domestic scheduled services, PWA inaugurated tourist charter flights in 1964 to destinations like the Cayman Islands and the United Kingdom. By the late 1960's, PWA's network spanned the whole of Canada.

From 1966, the company placed orders for its first turbine airplanes, in the form of Boeing 707's and Lockheed L188 Electras. With these new capabilities, charter routes to Mexico, Hawaii and various European destinations were added. The 707's were also used for worldwide air cargo operations, specialized in the transport of livestock and perishables. PWA was also the first civilian operator of the Lockheed L100 Hercules, in support of mining operations in Northern Canada.

The Boeing 737 joined the fleet in 1968, offering the first jet service on PWA's scheduled domestic network. That aircraft type became the backbone of the fleet for th decade to come.

PWA eventually acquired Canadian Pacific Air Lines in 1987, with Canadian Airlines International being the offspring of that merger.

February 1955* to November 1967*

PWA operated six Smith Super 46C Commandos, some of them acquired as such, other converted during service with the company.

• Smith Super 46C Commando: CF-CZI, CF-CZJ, CF-CZM, CF-CZN, CF-HYH/CF-PWD, CF-HYI/CF-PWE