Sonicblue Airways was an airline based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with their headquarters in Richmond. SonicBlue offered both scheduled and charter services and would fly anywhere in North America.[citation needed] For maintenance failings (and following an accident) Transport Canada suspended Sonicblue's operating license and grounded the company's fleet in January 2006.
| |||||||
| Commenced operations | 2002 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 2006 | ||||||
| Operating bases | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | ||||||
| Fleet size | See Fleet below | ||||||
| Destinations | See Destinations below | ||||||
| Parent company | International Express Air Charter Ltd. | ||||||
| Headquarters | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada | ||||||
Code data
edit- IATA Code: VL [1][failed verification]
History
editIt was operated by International Express Air Charter Ltd. and was formed after Regency Express acquired North Vancouver Air in 2002 and rebranding the airline SonicBlue Airways.[2]
Incidents and accidents
edit- On 21 January 2006 a Sonicblue Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (C-GRXZ) chartered flight from Tofino to Vancouver was trying to divert to Port Alberni after a pilot mayday, but crashed 12 km (7.5 mi) from Port Alberni killing one crew member and two passengers. Five passengers survived. The investigation showed that a turbine blade snapped off in the engine due to fatigue.[3] Subsequent investigations showed that six of Sonicblue's aircraft (including the Cessna Caravan involved in the accident) were overdue their mandatory inspections. As a result, Transport Canada suspended Sonicblue's operating license and grounded the company's fleet.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Airline Codes Website". airlinecodes.co.uk. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
- ^ "North Vancouver Air". Airline History. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Aviation Safety Network". Flight Safety Foundation Accident description. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
- ^ Nelson, Rod (March 22, 2006). "Transport Canada Fines International Express Aircharter Ltd. and Cancels Air Operator Certificate". Transport Canada/Transports Canada. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
External links
edit- "Sonicblue Airways". International Express Aircharter Ltd. Archived from the original on July 10, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
