First Air

First Air. First Air is a Canadian airline headquartered in Kanata, Ottawa, Ontario, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Makivik Corporation, which represents the Inuit of Nunavik in northern Quebec. Established in 1946 as Bradley Air Services, it has grown into a vital regional carrier, providing scheduled passenger, charter, and cargo services primarily to communities across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavik. The airline operates a diverse fleet of turboprop and jet aircraft from its main hubs at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport and Yellowknife Airport, connecting the remote Canadian Arctic with southern Canada.

History

The airline was founded in 1946 by Russell Bradley as Bradley Air Services, initially operating from a base in Carp, Ontario. Its early operations focused on bush flying, providing essential air transport, aerial photography, and geophysical survey services across the Northwest Territories and the Arctic Archipelago. A significant expansion occurred in 1973 when the company was purchased by C. R. "Bud" Jardine, who rebranded it as First Air in 1975 to reflect its growing scheduled service network. In 1990, the airline underwent a major ownership change when it was sold to the Inuit-owned Makivik Corporation, solidifying its role as a critical economic driver for Nunavik. Key developments included the acquisition of Ptarmigan Airways in 1995 and a major codeshare and commercial agreement with Canadian North in 2019, which led to a full merger of the two carriers under the Canadian North brand in 2021, effectively concluding its operations as an independent entity.

Fleet

Throughout its operational history, First Air operated a mixed fleet tailored for the challenging conditions of northern Canada. Its aircraft included various models of the rugged de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter for short takeoff and landing on remote gravel runways. For larger passenger and combi operations, the airline utilized the Boeing 727, Boeing 737-200, and later modernized with the Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 767-200 for mainline routes and charter flights. The cargo division was supported by dedicated freighters such as the Boeing 727-200F and the Boeing 737-200C. For regional jet service, the fleet included the British Aerospace 146, known for its quiet operation and performance at high-altitude airports like Iqaluit Airport.

Destinations

First Air's route network was extensive, serving over 30 communities across the Canadian Arctic and beyond. Its southern gateway was primarily Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, with significant operations from Yellowknife Airport and Iqaluit Airport. Key destinations in Nunavut included Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, and Resolute Bay, while in the Northwest Territories, it served Inuvik and Norman Wells. In Nunavik, it connected Kuujjuaq and Puvirnituq to southern hubs. The airline also operated seasonal charter flights to destinations like Varadero in Cuba and Frankfurt Airport in Germany, utilizing its Boeing 767 aircraft. Interline agreements with carriers like Air Canada and WestJet facilitated connections to the global air transport network.

Accidents and incidents

The airline experienced several notable accidents during its long history in challenging northern environments. A significant fatal accident occurred on August 20, 2011, when First Air Flight 6560, a Boeing 737-200C, crashed on final approach to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, resulting in 12 fatalities; the subsequent investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada cited crew error and controlled flight into terrain. Earlier, on December 9, 1972, a Douglas DC-3 operated by Bradley Air Services crashed near Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit), with no fatalities. Another incident involved a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter that overran the runway at Nanisivik Airport in 1999. These events underscored the inherent risks of aviation in the remote Arctic and led to enhanced safety and training protocols.

Corporate affairs

First Air was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Makivik Corporation, the organization created under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement to represent Inuit in Nunavik. Its head office was located in Kanata, Ottawa. The airline was a major employer in the North, with maintenance bases at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport and Iqaluit Airport. Its corporate structure included divisions for scheduled service, charter operations, and a dedicated cargo unit known as First Air Cargo. In 2019, facing competitive and economic pressures, it entered a strategic partnership with Canadian North, owned by the Inuvialuit and the Inuit of Nunavut, which was finalized as a full merger in 2021, creating a unified northern airline under the Canadian North brand.