First delivered to the US Army as U-1A 55-3273 in 1956, this Otter saw service in Vietnam before being rebuilt in Canada as CF-BEU. After service with a range of Canadian operators, it became N81FW on floats with Fresh Water Adventures in 2005 before acquisition by Harbour Air in 2006. That winter they converted it to Vazar DHC-3T standards at Vancouver airport and it joined their growing fleet in 2007 as C-FHAD, initially in the then-current yellow colours but without titles, which weren't added till 2010.

Acquired from Air Madagascar (5R-MVC) in 2018

This 1969 Twin Otter joined Harbour Air in January 2022, using a registration previously allocated to an Aero Commander

Harbour Air has two Caravans but only this one carries their standard colours

Backed by Queen Elizabeth, C-FHAJ began life in 1961 on delivery to the Union of Burma Air Force as UB-657 as one of nine shipped to Burma in crates. Six were repatriated to Canada in 1989 and this one was purchased by the Aros Parachute Club of Sweden after conversion to Vazar turbine, becoming SE-KOX. Next registered N406H to Wipaire in 2005, it joined Harbour Air next year as floatplane C-FHAH in their yellow-trimmed colour scheme. In 2007 it became 9H-AFA with Harbour Air (Malta) to operate between Valetta and Gozo, then shipped home by sea to rejoin the main fleet in 2012, now as C-FHAJ

New with Seair in 2013

Resplendent in special national colours, this is the oldest Otter still flying. As the third DHC-3 to come of the line in 1952, it was delivered in December to Arthur Fecteau, a veteran French Canadian bush pilot based in Senneterre, Québec. After eventually passing to Harbour Air, it entered their Vancouver airport facility in 2000 for turbine conversion, and despite its grand old age, with its modern avionics and power-plant it is one of the best equipped Otters still flying.

Looking smart in its latest colours as it returns to its berth, this is one of around a dozen Beavers that have recently been in service with Harbour Air

In a fleet dominated by DHC floatplane types, two Cessna Caravans also operate, this one in non-standard colours

Much has changed at Coal Harbour since I took this photo in 2003. Wescoast Air no longer exists, its base is gone and all the docks have been replaced.

Photographer: Neil Aird.

DHC-2 Beaver C-GOLC has been flying on the coast of British Columbia since 1975. Thunderbird Air (1987) Inc. of Sechelt, BC. It joined the fleet of Tyee Airways Ltd. two months after this photo was taken. In 2021 it was owned by Harbour Air.

After an accident in Nepal on Nov. 28, 2017, this Twin Otter was shipped to Canada in containers and rebuilt by Regent Aircraft Services Inc. in Calgary. It was sold to Harbour Air and registered C-GHHA on Feb. 18, 2020. The aircraft primarily flies the Harbour Air route between Vancouver and Victoria Harbour. In addition to carrying more people than the DHC-3T Turbo Otter, the two pilot aircraft is used to bring new pilots without a lot of float experience into the airline.