First Air, Canadian North airlines to merge over next two years

First Air and Canadian North aircraft. (CANAV Books Blog)

The deal is done.

First Air and Canadian North will merge into a single airline over the next two years.

The new airline will continue to be known as Canadian North.

First Air was owned by the Makivik Corporation, while Canadian North is owned by the Inuvilauit Regional Corporation.

The new board will be made up of representatives from both organizations.

Transport Canada approved the merger in June under a few conditions.

Two of the major ones were no price increases for passengers or for cargo and no reductions in scheduled flights.

According to a news release once the airlines merge, it will serve 24 northern communities.

It adds, “As a 100% Inuit-owned airline, Canadian North’s overarching mission will be to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods to, from and within Inuit Nunangat, with the potential to expand its service to even more destinations in the future.”

About the Author

Francis Tessier-Burns
Francis was a reporter with CKLB from January 2019 to March 2023. In his time with CKLB, he had the immense pleasure and honour of learning about northern Indigenous cultures.