When Peace Air president Albert Cooper was asked how his company has managed to triple its revenue in less than three years, he didn’t hesitate.

“It’s our people,” says Cooper, who along with wife Wendy purchased the company in 1994. “I think we have the best aircraft in the market and we’ll take you pretty much anywhere in Alberta – and some places in B.C. – but those seats are filled because our staff provide the best service in the business.”

Cooper says the most gratifying part of running Peace Air (www.peaceair.com) is listening to the heart-warming stories about his employees. “And I hear them every day,” he adds.

Peace Air president Albert Cooper says he has the best aircraft in the business.

Like the time a woman called the booking office, saying her father was about to be taken off life-support. She was in Grande Prairie and was desperate to find a way to get to the Edmonton hospital to say her good-byes.

“Our person on the phone, Tanin, found her a flight that would get her there by 7 p.m.,” Cooper explains. “Tanin asked for the doctor’s name and immediately called the doctor up and asked if he could hold off until 7:30. He said he would.

“When the woman arrived to board the plane, she got a big hug from Danika, another of our employees. The woman didn’t have any money on her, so Danika actually gave her some petty cash so she could get a cab right away. She made it in time to say good-bye to her father, and that meant the world to her.”

Cooper says he’s “truly humbled” by the calibre of people working at Peace Air.

“Everybody on this team will do whatever it takes to provide the best customer service,” he says.

“Our pilots, for example, are all sharp-looking professionals, but they won’t skip a beat if they’ve got an opportunity to help you with your luggage.

“And our staff will make you laugh, too. Our customers appreciate that fun-loving Alberta attitude.”

Formerly known as the top regional carrier in the Peace Country, Peace Air is now No. 1 throughout the province. Whether you’re headed to Calgary, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Grande Prairie, High Level, Lloydminster, Prince George or Peace River, Peace Air will get you there – and back, on the same day.

“Alberta business people are the busiest people in the country, so we’re doing everything in our power to make their day more efficient,” says Cooper, adding that Peace Air is up to 45 daily departures. “We’ll get you to those important meetings on time and make sure you’re back home in time for supper or to tuck in the kids.”

And what a way to travel.

Peace Air’s Swiss-made, state-of-the-art Pilatus aircraft offer the ultimate in speed, comfort and safety.

“The technology behind these planes makes them extremely safe, and the manufacturer went to great lengths in providing passenger comfort,” Cooper says.

Despite incredible growth in recent years, Peace Air has no intention of altering its focus as a regional carrier.

“We have no interest in doing Calgary-to-Vancouver or Calgary-to-Toronto – let the big boys fight over those routes,” Cooper says.

“Our mandate is to be THE choice for regional travel. People need to get in and out of the smaller centres, and we help them do that better than anyone – and at affordable rates.”

To book your next flight on Peace Air, call toll-free 1.800.563.3060.