Canadian North

File:C-FTIQ AT42-500 Canadian North 03.jpg aircraft overnighting at Cambridge Bay Airport, July 2021]]

Canadian North was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of Canadian Airlines International, specifically to serve northern Canadian communities' needs. The airline traces its roots to former operators Nordair in eastern Canada and the Canadian Arctic, and Pacific Western Airlines in western Canada and also in the Canadian Arctic. Wardair also maintained a significant Arctic presence during its existence.

In September 1998, Norterra purchased Canadian North, whose ownership was divided equally among the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, representing the Inuvialuit people of the western Canadian Arctic, and Nunasi Corporation, representing the Inuit of Nunavut.{{cite web|url=https://nnsl-archive.blackpress.ca/nnsl/1998-05/may4_98nort.html |title=NorTerra to take flight |first1=Doug |last1=Ashbury |publisher=Northern News Services |date=4 May 1998 |access-date=18 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674nunasi_corp-_sells_stake_in_norterra/ |title=Nunasi Corp. sells its half of Norterra to the Inuvialuit |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=18 August 2024 |publisher=Nunatsiaq News}}

File:Canadian North Logo.svg

After utilizing three different livery schemes, Canadian North adopted its final pre-merger logo in 2003. Its logo displayed three of the distinctive symbols of the North: the polar bear, the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Canadian North's slogan was changed from "Your North. Your Airline" to "seriously northern" (all in lower-case), with advertising changed to reflect different aspects of the company (serious service, serious delivery, etc.).[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708113619/http://www.canadiannorth.com/about/presidents-message Who We Are]

In June 2007, Canadian North began serving the Kitikmeot communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, and Kugluktuk.[http://www.canadiannorth.com/about/news/008555-april-11-2007-canadian-north-launches-new-service-four-kitikmeot-communities Canadian North Launches New Service to Four Kitikmeot Communities] In April 2008, flights began to seven communities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (Baffin Region) of Nunavut.[http://www.canadiannorth.com/about/news/008554-april-1-2008-canadian-north-launches-new-service-seven-baffin-communities Canadian North Launches New Service to Seven Baffin Communities]

On 1 April 2014, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC), representing the Inuvialuit of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, bought the 50% share of Norterra held by Nunasi. The purchase of Nunasi's interest in Norterra gave the IDC complete control of Canadian North, Northern Transportation Company (now Marine Transportation Services), and other companies that were jointly-held.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunasi-corp-sells-its-stake-in-norterra-canadian-north-1.2594298 |title=Nunasi Corp. sells its stake in NorTerra, Canadian North |date=1 April 2014 |publisher=CBC}} On 11 April 2014, Norterra and Makivvik, owners of First Air announced that they were in negotiations to merge the two airlines.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-plan-merger-of-equals-1.2607324 |title=Canadian North, First Air plan 'merger of equals' |date=11 April 2014 |publisher=CBC}}{{cite web |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674first_air_and_canadian_north_talk_merger/ |title=Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger |date=11 April 2014 |work=Nunatsiaq News |first=Sarah |last=Rogers}} According to a website that had been set up on that same day, the new airline would be owned equally between the two companies and "a merger would create a stronger, more sustainable business, provide better service to customers and lead to new economic development opportunities across the North. We believe the two companies would complement each other's strengths."[http://newnorthernairline.com/ Canada’s Northern Airlines Enter Merger Discussions] In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,{{cite news |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674makivik_norterra_pull_out_of_airline_merger/ |title=Airlines announce First Air-Canadian North merger is dead |date=23 October 2014 |work=Nunatsiaq News}} but Canadian North would still codeshare on some flights with First Air until 16 May 2017.{{cite news |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674codeshare_kaput_first_air_ends_flight_sharing_deal_with_canadian_north/ |title=Codeshare kaput: First Air ends flight sharing deal with Canadian North |date=18 November 2016 |work=Nunatsiaq News}} On 23 February 2017, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) announced that arrangements had been concluded to transfer ownership of Canadian North directly into Inuvialuit Development Corporation.[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3475276-MEDIA-RELEASE-IDC-Restructure-24FEB17-FINAL.html Media Announcement]

File:Canadian North 737-200 (C-GDPA) parked at Yellowknife Airport in Northwest Territories.jpg-200 at Yellowknife Airport in 2023. The metal bar under the engine forms part of the gravel kit.]]

Bradley Air Services, later operating under the trade name First Air, was founded by Canadian aviation pioneer Russel (Russ) Bradley, and started operations in 1946. Beginning as a flying school in Ottawa, Ontario, and moving in the fall of 1946 to Carp, Ontario, First Air started scheduled operations in 1973 between Ottawa and North Bay, Ontario. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.

In 1979, Bradley acquired the routes and some aircraft from Survair, which itself had taken over the smaller Arctic community routes from Nordair Arctic, which was itself derived from the main airline, Nordair. Future Bradley acquisitions included Ptarmigan Airways, and later NWT Air, both Yellowknife based.

On 28 September 2018, Makivvik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) signed a definitive agreement to merge Canadian North and First Air, again awaiting federal government approval. The new airline would use the new First Air livery, but would operate under the name "Canadian North".{{cite web |publisher=Inuvialuit Corporate Group|title=New milestone agreement reached to merge First Air and Canadian North to better serve Pan-Arctic communities |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/new-milestone-agreement-reached-to-merge-first-air-and-canadian-north-to-better-serve-pan-arctic-communities-694649901.html |website=www.newswire.ca}} On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975 |title=Federal government approves Canadian North and First Air merger |first=Nick |last=Murray |date=19 June 2019 |publisher=CBC}}

File:Canadian North's new and old liveries painted on 737 tails.jpg tails]]

On 1 November 2019, First Air and Canadian North completed the merger and combined schedules into one, using the code 5T, dropping First Air's 7F code as well as the name but keeping the livery.[https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ Our History] In early 2021 the call signs "First Air" and "Empress" were retired and the combined airline began operating as 5T / AKT, call sign "Arctic."

As of 18 December 2021, operations are now under the Canadian North name with a new livery.

Canadian North confirmed in December 2022 that it was to retire its last Boeing 737-200 by early 2023, replacing it with turboprop aircraft with similar gravel runway capabilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/122390-canadian-north-to-retire-last-b737-200-in-early-2q23 |publisher=ch-aviation.com|title=Canadian North to retire last B737-200 in early 2Q2|date=13 December 2022|access-date=18 August 2024}} The aircraft made its last scheduled flight with passengers on 6 May 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/127418-canadian-north-retires-last-b737-200c |title=Canadian North retires last B737-200(C)|date=9 May 2023|access-date=28 June 2023}}

Canadian North began a joint route with Air Greenland on Air Greenland's once-weekly flight between Nuuk and Iqaluit from summer 2024, with Canadian North providing flights timed to connect passengers arriving from Kuujjuaq, Montreal and Ottawa.{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=Summer route between Greenland and Nunavut announced |url=https://www.nunavutnews.com/home/summer-route-between-greenland-and-nunavut-announced-7361299 |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=Nunavut News}}

On 24 February 2025, Makivvik and Inuvialuit Development Corporation announced that Canadian North will be sold to Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corporation for $205 million. The sale is still subject to regulatory approval.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Ollie |date=24 February 2025 |title=Canadian North being sold to Winnipeg company for $205M |url=https://cabinradio.ca/224611/news/nunavut/canadian-north-being-sold-to-winnipeg-company-for-205m/ |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Cabin Radio}}

As of 5 March 2025, Canadian North services 29 domestic scheduled destinations:{{Cite web |title=Flight Schedule |url=https://canadiannorth.com/plan_your_trip/flight-schedule/?type=full&full_date=2023-10-13#skedsearchform |access-date=5 March 2025 |website=canadiannorth.com |publisher=Canadian North}}

File:CanadianNorthBoeing737-300C-FKCN YYCNovember2018.jpg approaching Calgary International Airport]]

Canadian North offers charters to anywhere, non-stop flights in continental North America and maintain charter terminals at Calgary and Edmonton.

• Air Canada{{cite web |title=Air Canada Codeshare Partners |url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/star-alliance-and-other-airline-partners.html |website=www.aircanada.com |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102033808/https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/star-alliance-and-other-airline-partners.html |url-status=live }}
• Air Greenlandhttps://canadiannorth.com/latest_news/canadian-north-air-greenland-launch-new-route-for-thrilling-arctic-adventure/
• Westjet{{Cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/about-us/airline-partners|title=Our airline partners|website=www.westjet.com|access-date=January 14, 2025}}

Over time the registration of the fleet has moved from Canadian North to Bradley Air Services (First Air). As of March 2025, the fleet consists of 33 aircraft all registered to Bradley Air Services.{{TCregister|BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES+LIMITED|Bradley Air Services|5 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://charters.canadiannorth.com/ |title=Charters by Canadian North - Our Fleet|access-date=5 February 2025}}

File:C-GECN at Iqaluit Airport.JPG Series 100. Pre-merger livery. The aircraft were retired in 2021]]

Aircraft previously operated include:[http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=%7C%7C&cn=%7C%7C&mn=%7C%7C&sn=%7C%7C&cnn=%7CCANADIAN%20NORTH%20INC.%7C&tn=%7C%7C&ln=%7C%7C&fn=%7C%7C&rfr2=RchHs.aspx&print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result]

• Boeing 737-200 / 737-200C, the 737-200 could be equipped with a gravel kit which enabled them to land on gravel runways in Northern Canada.
• Fokker F28 Fellowship
• Fokker 100 (listed by Transport Canada as a F.28 Mk 0100)
• De Havilland Canada Dash 8

File:03 - Northwest Tower.jpg, the former headquarters for the airline]]

The company headquarters are in Kanata, Ontario, the former First Air HQ.

Canadian North had its headquarters in the Northwest Tower,{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiannorth.com/contact/administration |title=Administration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823223032/http://www.canadiannorth.com/contact/administration |archive-date=23 August 2013|publisher=Canadian North|access-date=20 January 2011|quote=Head Office - Calgary 200, 580 Palmer Road N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 7R3 Canada" and "Regional Head Office - Iqaluit P.O. Box 70 Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 Canada" and "Regional Office - Yellowknife 202 Nunasi Building, 5109 48th St. Yellowknife, NT X1A 1N5 Canada" and "Operations Office - Edmonton 101 – 3731 52 Avenue East Edmonton AB T9E 0V4 Canada}}{{cite web|url=http://directory.gov.nt.ca/utility/directory/help.htm |title=Directory Information|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616192952/http://directory.gov.nt.ca/utility/directory/help.htm |archive-date=16 June 2011|publisher=Government of the Northwest Territories|access-date=20 January 2011|quote=NT Northwest Tower 5201 – 50 Ave}} in downtown Yellowknife. They were later moved to the grounds of Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta but the airline kept its community and marketing support employees in Yellowknife. In addition it has regional offices in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It also has an operations office in Edmonton, Alberta, on the grounds of Edmonton International Airport.{{cite web|url=http://boilermakers.ca/content/images/stories/docs/pre-kearl_general_info.pdf |title=Pre-Kearl Welcome Letter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321094141/http://boilermakers.ca/content/images/stories/docs/pre-kearl_general_info.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2014|publisher=Boilermakers Local 146 (Boilermakers Union).|access-date=21 March 2014}} Following the takeover by First Air, the former headquarters in Calgary was shut down and remaining management was transferred to Kanata.

File:IFEs inside a Canadian North 737-300 (Quintin Soloviev - QFS Aviation).jpg video displays on a Canadian North flight]]

Canadian North in-flight service includes leather seating, advanced seat selection, free newspapers and magazines, and free colouring books and crayons for children.

The airline offers Aeroplan rewards points, both to collect and to redeem. Passengers may redeem Air Miles points for travel on Canadian North.[https://www.aeroplan.com/home.do Aeroplan][https://canadiannorth.com/integration/ Welcome aboard your NEW Canadian North] Canadian North has codeshare agreements with Air North and Calm Air.[https://canadiannorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Canadian-Northe-Route-Map.pdf Route Map]

Canadian North also has its own "Aurora Concierge" and Aurora Rewards program for frequent travellers. Benefits of being an Aurora Concierge member include: Priority check-in, baggage, and boarding, extra piece of checked luggage, free alcoholic beverages, no fee changes, personalized membership card and baggage tag, and more.[https://www.aurorarewards.com/ Aurora Rewards][https://www.aurorarewards.com/concierge.php Aurora Concierge]

In 2005, the airline started offering a Pivut Fare ("ours") to beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.irc.inuvialuit.com/program/pivut-fares |title=Pivut Fares|date=19 October 2017 |publisher=Canadian North|access-date=6 October 2020}}

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{{Commons category|Canadian North}}

• {{URL|www.canadiannorth.com}}

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{{Airlines of Canada}}

Category:Air Transport Association of Canada

Category:Regional airlines of the Northwest Territories

Category:Regional airlines of Nunavut

Category:Airlines established in 1989

Category:Companies based in the Northwest Territories

Category:Inuvialuit companies

Category:Regional airlines of Ontario

Category:Companies based in Ottawa

Category:Inuit transport

Category:Cargo airlines of Canada

Category:Canadian companies established in 1989