Harbour Air Seaplanes (YB, Vancouver Coal Harbour) has entered into a strategic partnership with China’s Zongshen Industrial Group Co., Ltd. to export the Canadian operator's seaplane services to major cities throughout China. As part of the agreement, Zongshen Group has also acquired a minority stake in Harbour Air.

Founded and run by Chinese billionaire and entrepreneur Zuo Zongshen, the Zongshen Group plans to adapt Harbour Air's seaplane commuter model to the Chinese market. Beijing recently lifted a ban on low-altitude commercial flights, making seaplane travel a viable method of transportation in many of China’s coastal and riparian cities.

“China’s rate of urbanization creates enormous demands for innovative transportation needs,” said Zuo. “In partnership with Harbour Air, we will bring this unique airline model to China to give the Chinese people an efficient, affordable and sustainable way to travel and connect with each other.”

For its part, the Harbour Air Group operates more than fifty aircraft across its Harbour Air Seaplanes, West Coast Air (Vancouver Coal Harbour) and Whistler Air Services (Whistler) subsidiaries.