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About Canadian North

A Quick Overview of Canadian North

Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as Canadian North (IATA: 5T), is a wholly Inuit-owned airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1989 as a subsidiary of Canadian Airlines International, Canadian North has become the leading airline serving Canada’s Arctic, connecting 31 communities in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Nunavik (Quebec) with southern gateways in Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. With a history tracing back to 1946 through its merger with First Air, the airline operates scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter services, carrying over 225,000 passengers and 25 million kilograms of cargo annually. Fully owned by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and Makivvik Corporation, Canadian North emphasizes Inuit employment, cultural representation, and sustainability, with a modern fleet of Boeing 737s and ATR turboprops designed for gravel and ice strip operations. Its slogan, “seriously northern,” reflects its commitment to reliable, community-focused service in the challenging Arctic environment, though it faces criticism for delays and customer service issues.

History

Canadian North was founded in 1989 as a subsidiary of Canadian Airlines International to serve northern Canadian communities, building on the legacy of operators like Nordair and Pacific Western Airlines in the Arctic. In 1998, Norterra Inc., owned equally by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) and Nunasi Corporation, purchased the airline. The IDC acquired full control in 2014 by buying Nunasi’s 50% share.

Key milestones include:

  • 2003: Adopted a logo featuring a polar bear, midnight sun, and Northern Lights, with the slogan “seriously northern.”
  • 2007–2008: Expanded to Kitikmeot and Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) communities in Nunavut.
  • 2014: IDC assumed 100% ownership of Norterra, consolidating control.
  • 2017: Ownership transferred directly to IDC, streamlining corporate structure.
  • 2018–2019: Merged with First Air, owned by Makivvik Corporation, after federal approval on June 19, 2019. The merger, completed November 1, 2019, unified operations under the Canadian North name, adopting First Air’s livery initially.
  • 2021: Retired First Air’s call signs (“First Air,” “Empress”) and adopted “Arctic” (5T/AKT). Introduced a new livery on December 18, 2021.
  • 2022: Announced retirement of Boeing 737-200s by early 2023, replaced by turboprops.
  • 2023: Began fleet renewal with Boeing 737-700s, with two of five delivered by May 2023.
  • 2024: Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) announced plans to acquire Canadian North, pending regulatory approval, to ensure stability and growth.
  • 2025: Continued fleet modernization, focusing on stretcher-capable 737-700s and ATRs for remote operations.

Operations

Canadian North operates from hubs in Yellowknife (YZF), Iqaluit (YFB), and Edmonton (YEG), with regional offices in Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Edmonton. Its network connects 31 Arctic communities, including Inuvik, Norman Wells, Cambridge Bay, and Kuujjuaq, to southern gateways like Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.

Destinations:
  • Northwest Territories: Yellowknife, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Hay River.
  • Nunavut: Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet.
  • Nunavik (Quebec): Kuujjuaq, Salluit, Kangirsuk.
  • Southern Canada: Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg.
  • International: Interline agreement with Air Greenland for connections to Greenland.
Services:
  • Scheduled Flights: Connects 31 northern communities, with seamless interline connections to southern and international destinations.