Air North, the Yukon's local airline, has announced plans for seasonal summer passenger service between Whitehorse and Kelowna, in south-central British Columbia.

This marks the first scheduled expansion to Air North's route network since the airline began offering Boeing 737 service to Vancouver and Alberta in 2002.

"There has been demand from our Yukon passengers for a flight to Kelowna, as well as interest in service from the residents of the Okanagan, including former Yukoners who now reside there,”Air North president Joe Sparling said in a statement released this morning.

"We're extremely optimistic about this addition to our network.”

The seasonal service will be offered on Thursdays and Sundays beginning June 6 and ending Oct. 13.

"We've made travel between the Okanagan and the Yukon so much simpler,” said Allan Moore, the airline's director of commercial development.

"It's a great combination of our amazing inflight service, affordable fares, and the convenience of a single flight. We think our passengers will appreciate not having to change aircraft in another city.”

To celebrate the new service, Air North is offering a special introductory fare of $109 plus fees and taxes between Whitehorse and Kelowna, and $59 plus fees and taxes between Vancouver and Kelowna.

"With this announcement, we've not only expanded our route network – providing a better, simpler option to get to the Okanagan,” said Sparling.

"We've also opened up a new gateway city to the Yukon, which is a huge benefit to all Yukoners.”

The special introductory fares will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Yukon time) May 14.

Air North, founded in 1977, has won praise for its Yukon hospitality from many travellers from the Yukon and elsewhere.

The airline has flown more than a million passengers on its Boeing 737 fleet between Whitehorse, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

It has scheduled destinations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories and seasonal flights to Alaska, and offers charter services throughout North America (excluding Hawaii).

One in 15 Yukoners, including the Vuntut Gwichin First Nation, holds an equity or employment stake in Air North, which employs more than 200 people.

Meanwhile, Air Canada recently announced the cancellation of its Whitehorse-Calgary route, and WestJet is preparing to offer its second summer of flights from Whitehorse to the South.