Looking down at the world from 2,000 feet, roads and vehicles wind their way to and fro below.

On the right is the ferry terminal, and a line of cars across the parking lot. You could be in that line, queued to load.

Instead, you sit back in your seat, listen to the hum of the twin engines and enjoy the mountain view and the blue of the Pacific.

Twenty-one minutes after leaving Abbotsford Airport, you touch down in Naniamo.

“How was that?” asks Gerry Visser. “I told you it was smooth and fast.”

Visser, a 49-year-old local entrepreneur, is the man behind Island Express Air, the newest airline running out of the Abbotsford Airport. Flying from Abbotsford to Nanaimo, Victoria and Pitt Meadows, Island Express made its inaugural flight on Aug. 7.

While some experts may say that starting a new business in today’s economic situation is a considerable gamble, Visser says he isn’t concerned.

“I still believe in it. The route is viable and once we get up and running we plan to expand.”

Island Express Air makes two flights a day and runs four days a week.

In September, Visser plans five days a week and in the new year wants to add another aircraft, make the run seven days a week and expanding service to Kelowna, Quesnel, Prince George and more.

“I have a business plan. I know it will take up to two years to really take off.”

Visser is no stranger to creating a successful business. When he was only 19, he started Gerry’s Automotive, a company he still owns today. He also has several side businesses, including Godspeed Aviation, an aircraft fuel supplier located at the Abbotsford Airport.

While acknowledging competition, Visser says he offers what the other airlines do not.

“We have the only air service from Abbotsford to Nanaimo.”

The eight-seat Piper Navajo is refurbished for comfort and is equipped with the latest GPS navigation and weather technology, ahead of industry standards.

“My philosophy is all about providing the safest, most reliable service. Why just do the minimum?”

His love of flight has helped Visser overcome the complex process of starting his own airline. Signing airport contracts, and dealing with Transport Canada regulations, has taken more than a year to work out all the details.

“The flying is really the easy part. It’s the administration side that’s hard,” he says.

After leaving Nanaimo airport, the plane made a quick stop in Victoria, to pick up two Abbotsford passengers heading home.

Adele Nicholson and her son Dave caught the early flight on Tuesday morning after deciding to spend the day in the provincial capital.

“Who wants to drive all that way and then take the ferry?” asked Adele.

“We heard about the company and thought, why not, it’s an adventure.”