Orca Airways Ltd. co-founded by Ladner resident

Posted by Peter Roaf 
on Jun 23, 2015
 
Orca Airways Ltd.
Founded in 2005, Orca Airways Ltd. has 22,500 square feet of office and hanger space at Vancouver International Airport South Terminal to support a fleet of 17 aircraft providing daily scheduled flights between Vancouver and Vancouver Island as well as charter and Medivac services throughout North America.
 
 
Harald Leukefeld, left, is thanked for his presentation by Walt Hayward
 
 
-- Guest speaker, Harald Leukefeld, has been a resident of Ladner for 43 years
-- 36 years with Air Canada: 23 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer; 13 years as Maintenance Manager and Base Manager in Vancouver; 5 years as Director, International Maintenance & Operations before retiring in 2003
-- started Orca Airways in 2005 as co-owner, General Manager, Director of Maintenance
 
 
 
 
Orca Airways Ltd.: 
  • 40% passenger, 40% cargo and 20% charter / Medi-vac
  • 2004: Vision
  • 2004 / 2005: Regulatory process
  • 2005: Start-up with first aircraft, a Piper Navajo 10-pssenger; first route, Vancouver to Tofino on west coast of Vancouver Island; 5 employees
  • 2005/06: second and third aircraft added
  • 2007: established small parcel cargo routes: Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Powell River, Kamloops
  • 2008: Established the company AMO - 
  • 2010: Purchased Airspeed Aviation, Abbotsford Airport to Victoria; partnership with Tofino resorts; established ground transportation system; purchased Canadian Air Charters; added 4 aircraft, including 2 turbo props
  • 2012: major cargo contract; purchased 3 Fairchild Metros
  • 2013: Began Medi-vac aircraft charters
  • 2015: Purchase first jet aircraft, Lear 35 for medi-vac & charters
  • 2015: Purchase Beech 99 15 passengers; certification as a commuter airline; 45 employees; 17 aircraft
  • Reservations Manager in Ladysmith
  • Charter Manager in Qualicum
  • Ground transportation Manager in Tofino