Why has air travel been important for connecting remote parts of British Columbia?

Air travel has become essential in British Columbia primarily due to the province's vast geographic scale and its challenging, rugged terrain.1

The province is characterized by towering mountain ranges, long coastal inlets, and swift rivers, which create significant physical barriers to traditional ground transportation. Because these natural features often fracture the landscape, the development of air travel has been encouraged to bridge the distance between isolated, remote areas and the province's major urban centers. Several small air companies operate to provide these critical links, with Vancouver International Airport serving as the primary hub for the region's air-transport network.12