First Air

File:20101014-DSC 2288-First-Air-C-GKLY-762.jpg at Val-d'Or Airport]]

The airline was founded at Ottawa International by Canadian aviation pioneer Russell (Russ) Bradley and started operations as Bradley Flying School in 1946, changing the name in 1950 to Bradley Air Services, concurrent with a move to Carp Airport, and is still registered under that name.{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/bradley-air-services-ltd |title=Bradley Air Services Ltd.|access-date=28 June 2023}} First Air started scheduled operations in 1973, between Ottawa and North Bay. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.

The airline opened southern gateways at Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa. Through Kuujjuaq in Nunavik and Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories (NWT), {{as of|2015|lc=on}} the airline provided services to 26 Inuit communities in Nunavut, Nunavik and the NWT. Service to Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, was provided in partnership with Air Inuit.

In 1995, First Air acquired Ptarmigan Airways, and in 1997 Northwest Territorial Airways (also known as NWT Air), both merged into First Air.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/milestones/ |title=Milestones |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113543/http://www.firstair.ca/about/milestones/ |url-status=dead }} Ptarmigan Airways operated smaller turboprop aircraft types such as the Beechcraft King Air (BE-200 model), DHC-6 Twin Otter and Grumman Gulfstream I turboprops, and a single Cessna Citation II business jet aircraft. At the time of the merger NWT Air operated Boeing 737-200 jetliners and a single Lockheed L-100 Hercules cargo turboprop.

First Air was wholly owned by the Inuit of Quebec through the Makivik Corporation, which purchased the company in 1990.{{cite web |url=http://www.makivik.org/subsidiary-companies/wholly-owned/first-air/ |title=First Air |publisher=Makivik.org |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424010511/http://www.makivik.org/subsidiary-companies/wholly-owned/first-air/ |archive-date=24 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/ownership/ |title=Ownership |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113408/http://www.firstair.ca/about/ownership/ |url-status=dead }}

On 21 August 2008, First Air fired president Bob Davis and replaced him with Scott Bateman. Davis had been president since December 1997 and had several disagreements with First Air over a period of time.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-fires-president-davis-1.773405 |title=First Air fires president Davis |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=10 January 2013}}

On 5 June 2009, First Air received a wide-body aircraft, a Boeing 767-223 SF (Super Freighter), which was under a three-year dry lease from Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG).{{cite web |url=http://www.abxair.com/atsg/pr2009-03-06.html#AIR |title=Transport Services Group to Lease 767 to First Air |publisher=Abxair.com |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305164229/http://www.abxair.com/atsg/pr2009-03-06.html#AIR |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} The 767 has since left the fleet.

After the introduction of the operationally and logistically more economical Boeing 767-223SF in March 2010, First Air retired and removed its two Boeing 727-233 aircraft from its fleet. One was one of only two combi types in the world, and the last 727-200 in North America on scheduled passenger-freight services. The other 727-233F full freighter was also phased out. A Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprop (C-GFNW) was retired in March 2011. Replacing this aircraft type were two ATR 72 Combi turboprops as part of First Air's fleet replacement program. They were outfitted with a cargo handling system, and one was outfitted with a large cargo door. A first of its kind in North America, it was able to handle built unit Load Device positions. This in turn created a larger load capacity and flexibility reaching remote communities. One began service in the last quarter of 2011, and the second in the first quarter 2012.{{update after|2012|04}}{{citation needed|date=April 2011}}

In 2009 First Air added routes in the Kivallaq Region adding flights from Rankin Inlet to Arviat and Baker Lake. On 30 March 2010, it added Whale Cove, Repluse Bay, Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet to the Kivalliq Routes.{{Cite web |date=2010-01-28 |title=First Air adds flights to four Kivalliq communities |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/270110_first_air_adds_flights_to_four_kivalliq_communities/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Nunatsiaq News |language=en}}

In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.{{cite web|url=http://www.qfal.ca |title=Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Qfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}} The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's Qikiqtani Region using First Air's fleet.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/2011/02/qikiqtaaluk-corporation-and-first-air-sign-new-airline-joint-venture-agreement/ |title=Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and First Air sign new airline joint venture agreement |publisher=Firstair.ca |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319221347/http://www.firstair.ca/2011/02/qikiqtaaluk-corporation-and-first-air-sign-new-airline-joint-venture-agreement/ |url-status=dead }} Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfal.ca |title=Sakku First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Sfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}

In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.{{cite web |url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_airs_president_resigns_dec._14/ |title=First Air's president resigns 14 Dec. |publisher=Nunatsiaqonline.ca |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015000512/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_airs_president_resigns_dec._14/ |url-status=dead }} Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/officers/ |title=Officers |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113120/http://www.firstair.ca/about/officers/ |url-status=dead }}

In October 2012, Dolinki resigned his position as president and CEO of First Air. This announcement came shortly after Makivik Corporation stated that, after many rumours, its stake in First Air was not for sale. The position of President and CEO was filled on an interim basis by Chris Ferris, First Air's Vice President of Marketing and Sales.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-not-for-sale-says-makivik-corp-1.1140778 |title=First Air not for sale, says Makivik Corp.|publisher=CBC |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}

In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_gets_a_new_boss/ |title=First Air gets a new boss. – North |publisher=Nunatsiaq News |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=25 March 2013}}

On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of Canadian North, began negotiations to merge the two airlines.{{cite web|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'|access-date=2 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_and_canadian_north_talk_merger/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2014-04-11: NEWS: Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=12 April 2014 |access-date=2 January 2018}} According to a website set up the 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."{{cite web|url=http://newnorthernairline.com/|title=Nectar Sleep Mattress & Test Clear - Sleeping & Testing Coupons|website=newnorthernairline.com|access-date=2 January 2018}} In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674makivik_norterra_pull_out_of_airline_merger/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2014-10-23: NEWS: Airlines announce First Air-Canadian North merger is dead|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=24 October 2014 |access-date=2 January 2018}} but First Air would still codeshare some flights with Canadian North.

In early 2015 First Air announced strategic agreements with Cargojet Airways and Summit Air. The 767 lease was transferred to Cargojet at that time and First Air was also providing ATR-72 turboprop services for Cargojet.

On 21 April 2015, First Air's Hercules C-GUSI flew the final civilian L382 flight in Canada, bringing to an end over 45 years of commercial Lockheed Hercules service. L382 Hercules operations in Northern Canada were begun during the 1960s by Pacific Western Airlines.

On 1 June 2015, First Air began their codeshare flights with Calm Air ending their Kivalliq Regional Flights from Rankin Inlet to Arviat, Baker Lake, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, Whale Cove, and Chesterfield Inlet.{{Cite web |title=First Air, Calm Air flight changes frustrate Kivalliq residents |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-calm-air-flight-changes-frustrate-kivalliq-residents-1.3113408 |date=15 June 2015|access-date=28 June 2023}}

File:First Air logo (historic).svg In 2016, First Air/Bradley Air Services became the oldest airline in Canada still operating under its original name.

On 28 September 2018, Makivik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) signed a definitive agreement to merge Canadian North and First Air, awaiting government approval. The new airline would use the new First Air livery, but would operate under the name Canadian North.{{cite web |last1=Group |first1=Inuvialuit Corporate |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 |language=en}} On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.{{cite web |title=Federal government approves Canadian North and First Air merger |date=2019-06-19 |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091545/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975 |archive-date=2023-07-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975}}

On 2 October 2018 First Air hired Chris Avery as the new CEO of First Air. He became the CEO of Canadian North after the merger was completed.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-02 |title=First Air VP named head of new northern airline |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674first_air_vp_named_head_of_new_northern_airline/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Nunatsiaq News |language=en}}

On 1 November 2019, First Air and Canadian North completed the merger and combined schedules. Operations were under the Canadian North name using the First Air branding.[https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ Our History] However, full integration was expected to take 12 to 18 months.[https://canadiannorth.com/integration/ Welcome aboard your NEW Canadian North]

File:First Air B737-200.jpg at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]

File:First Air's AT42 GSRR.JPG at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery]]

File:20100620-C-GKLY-Boeing-767-223-First-Air.jpg, Quebec]]

File:First Air C130 GHPW.jpg]]

File:First Air - Summit Air Avro RJ85 at Yellowknife Airport.jpg Avro RJ85 operating for First Air]]

File:First Air ATR-42 cabin (Quintin Soloviev).jpg

First Air operates scheduled services to these domestic destinations in Canada:{{cite web|url=https://firstair.ca/book/routemap/|title=Route Map – First Air – 1 800 267 1247|website=firstair.ca|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603005412/https://firstair.ca/book/routemap/|archive-date=3 June 2015|url-status=dead}}

According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), First Air operated scheduled passenger service from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s nonstop between Ottawa (YOW) and Boston (BOS) primarily with Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprops, but also with Boeing 727-100 Combi jetliners as well.[http://www.departedflights.com Departedflights.com], 15 February 1985; 15 December 1989; 1 October 1991 editions, Official Airline Guide (OAG), Boston-Ottawa schedules This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.

First Air had codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

• Air Greenland{{cite web|author=JL |url=http://airlineroute.net/2012/05/04/7fgl-codeshare/ |title=First Air and Air Greenland Begin Codeshare |publisher=Airlineroute.net |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}
• Air North{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_air_north_strike_codeshare_deal_from_ottawa_yellowknife_and/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2016-05-11: NEWS: First Air, Air North strike codeshare deal for Ottawa, Yellowknife, Whitehorse|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca|date=11 May 2016|access-date=2 January 2018}}
• Calm Air
• Canadian North (ended 16 May 2017){{cite web|url=http://www.canadiannorth.com/info/codeshare|title=Codeshare Agreement|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044824/http://www.canadiannorth.com/info/codeshare|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674canadian_north_first_air_launch_codeshare_in_nunavut/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2015-07-28: NEWS: Canadian North, First Air carry out codeshare pact in Nunavut this week|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca|date=28 July 2015|access-date=2 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674codeshare_kaput_first_air_ends_flight_sharing_deal_with_canadian_north/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2016-11-18: NEWS: Codeshare kaput: First Air ends flight sharing deal with Canadian North|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=18 November 2016 |access-date=2 January 2018}}

As of January 2022, Bradley Air Services had 31 aircraft registered with Transport Canada. All aircraft are operated as Canadian North{{TCregister|BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES|Bradley Air Services (First Air)|2022-01-10}}

First Air previously operated the following aircraft types:[http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=||&cn=||&mn=||&sn=||&cnn=|BRADLEY%20AIR%20SERVICES|&tn=||&ln=||&fn=||&rfr2=RchHs.aspx&print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result]

• Boeing 727-100 (combi)
• Boeing 727-200 (combi and freighter)
• Boeing 737-200 (combi and freighter)
• Boeing 767-200 (freighter)
• de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (STOL capable aircraft)
• Douglas DC-3
• Hawker Siddeley HS 748 (combi)
• Lockheed L-100 Hercules (freighter)
• ATR 72-202 (combi)

Five of ten incidents had fatalities.

• 28 January 1974, a Douglas C-47B CF-TVK, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 CF-DIJ, and de Havilland Canada DHC-3 CF-OHD of Bradley Air Services were destroyed in a hangar fire at Carp Airport, Ottawa.{{ASN accident|19740128-1|title=CF-OHD|accessdate=15 February 2016}}{{ASN accident|19740128-0|title=CF-TVK|accessdate=15 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://flythebush.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html |title=Otter of the Week |publisher=Fly the Bush |access-date=21 March 2011}}
• 23 August 1978, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FQDG of Bradley Air Services was destroyed on final approach to Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit), Northwest Territories.{{ASN accident|19780823-0 |title=C-FQDG|accessdate=15 February 2016}} One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780823-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-FQDG Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)}}
• 29 August 1979, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GROW of Bradley Air Services was destroyed when plane crash on approach and short of the runway at Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit), Northwest Territories.{{ASN accident|19790829-0 |title=C-GROW |accessdate=15 February 2016}} Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790829-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-GROW Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)}}
• 15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near Nord, Greenland.{{ASN accident|19810315-0 |title=C-FDHT |accessdate=15 February 2016}}
• 15 September 1988, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-GFFA of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near Hammond, Ontario as it was approaching into Ottawa International Airport.{{ASN accident|19880915-1 |title=C-GFFA|accessdate=15 February 2016}} Both crew on board perished.{{Cite web | url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19880915-1 | title=ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-FAA SRS. 2B C-GFFA Cheney, ON }}
• 12 January 1989, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-GDOV of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near Dayton, Ohio killing both crew members.{{ASN accident|19890112-0 |title=C-GDOV|accessdate=15 February 2016}}
• 12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near Markham Bay, Northwest Territories.{{ASN accident|19960812-2 |title=C-GNDN|accessdate=15 February 2016}} Both crew members perished.{{Cite web|url=http://bst-tsb.gc.ca/ENG/rapports-reports/aviation/1996/a96q0126/a96q0126.html?pedisable=true|title=Aviation Investigation Report A96Q0126 - Transportation Safety Board of Canada|date=30 April 1998}}
• 3 December 1998, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-FBNW of Bradley Air Services was damaged beyond repair while attempting take-off at Iqaluit, Northwest Territories.{{ASN accident|19981203-0 |title=C-FBNW|accessdate=15 February 2016}} Crew of four and three passengers survived.{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19981203-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-335 SRS. 2A SCD C-FBNW Iqaluit Airport, NU (YFB)}}
• 22 May 2001, a Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI of First Air was damaged beyond repair after landing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.{{ASN accident|20010522-1 |title=C-GNWI|accessdate=15 February 2016}} All 98 passenger and 6 crew survived.{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20010522-1|title = ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI Yellowknife Airport, NT (YZF)}}
• 20 August 2011, Flight 6560, a First Air Boeing 737-210C (C-GNWN){{cite web|url=http://nycaviation.com/2011/08/first-air-737-crashes-in-northern-canada-killing-12/|title=First Air 737 Crashes in Northern Canada, Killing 12 - NYCAviation|date=20 August 2011|access-date=2 January 2018}} flying a charter flight crashed en route from Yellowknife on final approach to Resolute, killing 12 and injuring 3 others.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/plane-crash-near-resolute-bay-kills-12-1.1021035|title=Plane crash near Resolute Bay kills 12|access-date=2 January 2018}}

• Above&Beyond
• List of defunct airlines of Canada

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.firstair.ca/ First Air official website] {{in lang|en|fr|iu}} (redirects to Canadian North)
• [http://www.arcticjournal.ca/ Above&Beyond inflight magazine]

{{Portal bar|Ontario|Companies|Aviation}}

{{Defunct airlines of Canada}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Defunct airlines of Canada

Category:Regional airlines of Ontario

Category:Air Transport Association of Canada

Category:Companies based in Ottawa

Category:Regional airlines of the Northwest Territories

Category:Regional airlines of Nunavut

Category:Airlines established in 1946

Category:Airlines disestablished in 2019

Category:Regional airlines of Yukon

Category:Inuit transport

Category:Cargo airlines of Canada