Costco Wholesale's Gulfstream G280 lands in Vancouver amid Canadian expansion push

Costco Wholesale's Gulfstream G280 (N82CW) was tracked flying from Irma Airport in Wisconsin to Vancouver International Airport on June 26, 2026, a 1-hour 27-minute hop. The aircraft, part of the retailer's four-jet fleet, is frequently used for executive travel.

If Costco Wholesale leadership was aboard, the visit would come as the company continues to expand its Canadian footprint. Per a Canadian Grocer report on May 28, Costco opened a Canadian business center in the third quarter and reported record gas volumes, with CEO Ron Vachris noting that new members drawn by fuel discounts tend to spend more in warehouses. The trip also follows the company's announcement that it plans to return U.S. tariff refunds to members, a process that may involve coordination with Canadian operations given cross-border supply chains.

The flight is part of a broader pattern: recent movements show the G280 visiting multiple Canadian and Midwestern locations, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba, before heading west. Vancouver, a recurring destination in Costco's flight history, likely serves as a hub for regional management meetings or store inspections. If aboard, Costco Wholesale executives would be continuing a hands-on approach typical of the retailer's flat corporate culture.