First Air (First Air)

    First Air

    An ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport 

    An ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport

    IATA ICAO Callsign
    7F FAB FIRST AIR
    Founded 1946
    Ceased operations November 1, 2019 (acquired Canadian North and adopted that name)
    AOC #
    • Canada: 107
    • United States: KBJF476F
    Hubs
    • Iqaluit
    • Rankin Inlet
    • Yellowknife
    Frequent-flyer program Aeroplan
    Fleet size 31
    Destinations 35
    Headquarters 20 Cope Drive, Kanata, Ontario
    Key people
    • Chris Avery (President & CEO)
    • Alexandra Pontbriand (VP Finance)
    • Rashwan Domloge (VP Maintenance)
    • Aaron Speer (VP Flight Operations)
    • Andrew Pope (VP Commercial)
    Website www.firstair.ca (redirects to Canadian North)

    First Air's headquarters in Kanata, Ontario

    First Air's headquarters in Kanata, Ontario

    Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, was an airline headquartered in Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It operated services to 34 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. First Air has assisted in various humanitarian missions such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, airlifting relief supplies and equipment. Its main base, which included a large hangar, cargo and maintenance facility, was located at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, with hubs at Iqaluit Airport, and Yellowknife Airport. On November 1, 2019, the airline consolidated operations with Canadian North.

    History

    A First Air Boeing 767 at Val-d'Or Airport

    A First Air Boeing 767 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. 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 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. 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.

    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.

    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). 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.

    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.

    In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation. The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's Qikiqtani Region using First Air's fleet. Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.

    In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air. Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.

    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.

    In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.

    On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of Canadian North, began negotiations to merge the two airlines. 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." In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through, 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.

    Logo circa 2005, introduced in the 1990s used until 2017

    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. On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.

    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.

    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. However, full integration was expected to take 12 to 18 months.

    Destinations

    First Air Boeing 737-200 at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport

    First Air Boeing 737-200 at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport

    ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery

    ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery

    First Air Boeing 767 at Val-d'Or Airport, Quebec

    First Air Boeing 767 at Val-d'Or Airport, Quebec

    First Air L-382G

    First Air L-382G

    Summit Air Avro RJ85 operating for First Air

    Summit Air Avro RJ85 operating for First Air

    First Air ATR-42 cabin

    First Air ATR-42 cabin

    First Air operates scheduled services to these domestic destinations in Canada:

    City Province IATA ICAO Airport Notes
    Arctic Bay Nunavut YAB CYAB Arctic Bay Airport
    Arviat Nunavut YEK CYEK Arviat Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Baker Lake Nunavut YBK CYBK Baker Lake Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Cambridge Bay Nunavut YCB CYCB Cambridge Bay Airport
    Cape Dorset Nunavut YTE CYTE Cape Dorset Airport
    Chesterfield Inlet Nunavut YCS CYCS Chesterfield Inlet Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Churchill Manitoba YYQ CYYQ Churchill Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Clyde River Nunavut YCY CYCY Clyde River Airport
    Coral Harbour Nunavut YZS CYZS Coral Harbour Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Edmonton Alberta YEG CYEG Edmonton International Airport
    Fort Simpson Northwest Territories YFS CYFS Fort Simpson Airport
    Gjoa Haven Nunavut YHK CYHK Gjoa Haven Airport
    Hall Beach Nunavut YUX CYUX Hall Beach Airport
    Hay River Northwest Territories YHY CYHY Hay River/Merlyn Carter Airport
    Igloolik Nunavut YGT CYGT Igloolik Airport
    Inuvik Northwest Territories YEV CYEV Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport
    Iqaluit Nunavut YFB CYFB Iqaluit Airport Hub
    Kimmirut Nunavut YLC CYLC Kimmirut Airport
    Kugaaruk Nunavut YBB CYBB Kugaaruk Airport
    Kugluktuk Nunavut YCO CYCO Kugluktuk Airport
    Kuujjuaq Quebec YVP CYVP Kuujjuaq Airport
    Montréal Quebec YUL CYUL Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
    Naujaat Nunavut YUT CYUT Naujaat Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Ottawa Ontario YOW CYOW Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport Cargo Hub/ Maintenance Base
    Pangnirtung Nunavut YXP CYXP Pangnirtung Airport
    Pond Inlet Nunavut YIO CYIO Pond Inlet Airport
    Qikiqtarjuaq Nunavut YVM CYVM Qikiqtarjuaq Airport
    Rankin Inlet Nunavut YRT CYRT Rankin Inlet Airport Hub
    Resolute Nunavut YRB CYRB Resolute Bay Airport
    Taloyoak Nunavut YYH CYYH Taloyoak Airport
    Ulukhaktok Northwest Territories YHI CYHI Ulukhaktok/Holman Airport
    Whale Cove Nunavut YXN CYXN Whale Cove Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Whitehorse Yukon YXY CYXY Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport Codeshare with Air North
    Winnipeg Manitoba YWG CYWG Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport Codeshare with Calm Air
    Yellowknife Northwest Territories YZF CYZF Yellowknife Airport Hub

    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. This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.

    Codeshare agreements

    First Air had codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

    • Air Greenland
    • Air North
    • Calm Air
    • Canadian North (ended 16 May 2017)

    Fleet

    As of January 2022, Bradley Air Services had 31 aircraft registered with Transport Canada. All aircraft are operated as Canadian North

    Retired fleet

    First Air previously operated the following aircraft types:

    • 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)

    Accidents and incidents

    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.
    • 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. One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.
    • 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. Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.
    • 15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near Nord, Greenland.
    • 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. Both crew on board perished.
    • 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.
    • 12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near Markham Bay, Northwest Territories. Both crew members perished.
    • 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. Crew of four and three passengers survived.
    • 22 May 2001, a Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI of First Air was damaged beyond repair after landing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. All 98 passenger and 6 crew survived.
    • 20 August 2011, Flight 6560, a First Air Boeing 737-210C (C-GNWN) flying a charter flight crashed en route from Yellowknife on final approach to Resolute, killing 12 and injuring 3 others.


    Ottawa Airline

    Two alphabet code7F
    Three alphabet codeFAB
    Call lettersFirst Air
    Country and regionCanada
    Fleet quantity17
    Number of destination cities opened35
    Website www.canadiannorth.com
    Phone number1-800-267-1247
    Headquarters address20 Cope Drive, Kanata, Ontario Canada K2M 2V8