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{{Short description|Defunct airline in Canada}}
{{Short description|Defunct Canadian airline}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox airline
{{Infobox airline
|airline =First Air
| airline = First Air
|logo =First Air logo (2017).svg
| logo = First Air logo (2017).svg
|logo_size =
| logo_size =
| image2 = C-FTIQ First Air ATR42-500 at Cambridge Bay Airport.jpg
| image = C-FTIQ First Air ATR42-500 at Cambridge Bay Airport.jpg
| caption2 = An [[ATR 42|ATR42-500]] at [[Cambridge Bay Airport]]
| caption = An [[ATR 42]] at [[Cambridge Bay Airport]]
|fleet_size =17<ref name="TCFleet"/>
| fleet_size = 31<ref name="TCFleet"/>
|destinations=35<ref name="dest"/>
| destinations = 35<ref name="dest"/>
|IATA =7F
| IATA = 7F
|ICAO =FAB<ref name="ATD">{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonfir.ca/pdfdownloads/Air_Traffic_designators.pdf|title=Transport Canada – Air Traffic Designators – TP 143|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
| ICAO = FAB<ref name="ATD">{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonfir.ca/pdfdownloads/Air_Traffic_designators.pdf|title=Transport Canada – Air Traffic Designators – TP 143|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105526/http://edmontonfir.ca/pdfdownloads/Air_Traffic_designators.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|callsign =FIRST AIR
| callsign = FIRST AIR
|founded =1946
| founded = {{start date|1946||}}
| ceased = {{end date|2019|11|01}}<br /><small>(acquired [[Canadian North]] and adopted that name)</small>
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|aoc = Canada: 107<ref>{{TCAOC|2019-08-30|1-07|First+Air}}</ref><br>{{nowrap|United States: KBJF476F<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=KBJF&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES+LTD|title=Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref>}}
|aoc = {{plainlist|
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|headquarters =20 Cope Drive, [[Kanata, Ontario|Kanata]], [[Ontario]]<ref name="head"/>
* Canada: 107<ref>{{TCAOC|2019-08-30|1-07|First+Air}}</ref>
|key_people = Chris Avery President & CEO<br />Alexandra Pontbriand VP Finance<br />Rashwan Domloge VP Maintenance<br />Aaron Speer<br />VP Flight Operations<br />Andrew Pope<br />VP Commercial<ref name="officer"/>
⚫
* {{nowrap|United States: KBJF476F<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=KBJF&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES+LTD|title=Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref>}}
|hubs =[[Yellowknife Airport]],<br />[[Iqaluit Airport]]<br />[[Rankin Inlet Airport]]
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}}
⚫
|focus_cities =
⚫
| headquarters = 20 Cope Drive, [[Kanata, Ontario]]<ref name="head"/>
⚫
|frequent_flyer=[[Aeroplan]]
| key_people = {{plainlist|
⚫
|alliance =
* Chris Avery ([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
⚫
|website ={{URL|http://www.firstair.ca}} (redirects to Canadian North)
* Alexandra Pontbriand (VP Finance)
* Rashwan Domloge (VP Maintenance)
* Aaron Speer (VP Flight Operations)
* Andrew Pope (VP Commercial)<ref name="officer"/>
}}
| hubs = {{ubl|
| {{nowrap|[[Iqaluit Airport|Iqaluit]]}}
| {{nowrap|[[Rankin Inlet Airport|Rankin Inlet]]}}
| {{nowrap|[[Yellowknife Airport|Yellowknife]]}}
}}
⚫
| focus_cities =
⚫
| frequent_flyer = [[Aeroplan]]
⚫
| alliance =
⚫
| website = {{URL|www.firstair.ca}} (redirects to Canadian North)
}}
}}

[[File:First Air logo.svg|thumb|Previous logo]]
[[File:First Air headquarters.jpg|thumbnail|First Air headquarters in Kanata, Ontario, Canada]]
[[File:First Air headquarters.jpg|thumbnail|First Air's headquarters in Kanata, Ontario]]

'''Bradley Air Services Limited''', operating as '''First Air''', was an airline headquartered in [[Kanata, Ontario|Kanata]], a suburb of [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada.<ref name="head">"[http://www.firstair.ca/contact/ First Air Head Office]." First Air. Retrieved on 13 January 2012. "20 Cope Drive Kanata, Ontario Canada, K2M 2V8"</ref> It operated services to 34 communities in [[Nunavut]], [[Nunavik]], and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="dest"/> First Air has assisted in various humanitarian missions such as the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], airlifting relief supplies and equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2010/01/14/north-haiti-reax.html |title=Northern airline sends planes to Haiti |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 82 | date= 3 April 2007}}</ref> On November 1, 2019, the airline consolidated operations with [[Canadian North]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ |title=Our history |publisher=canadiannorth.com |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref>
'''Bradley Air Services Limited''', operating as '''First Air''', was an airline headquartered in [[Kanata, Ontario|Kanata]], a suburb of [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada.<ref name="head">"[http://www.firstair.ca/contact/ First Air Head Office]." First Air. Retrieved on 13 January 2012. "20 Cope Drive Kanata, Ontario Canada, K2M 2V8"</ref> It operated services to 34 communities in [[Nunavut]], [[Nunavik]], and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="dest"/> First Air has assisted in various humanitarian missions such as the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], airlifting relief supplies and equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2010/01/14/north-haiti-reax.html |title=Northern airline sends planes to Haiti |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 82 | date= 3 April 2007}}</ref> On November 1, 2019, the airline consolidated operations with [[Canadian North]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ |title=Our history |publisher=canadiannorth.com |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:20101014-DSC 2288-First-Air-C-GKLY-762.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Boeing 767]] at [[Val-d'Or Airport]]]]
[[File:20101014-DSC 2288-First-Air-C-GKLY-762.jpg|thumb|A First Air [[Boeing 767]] at [[Val-d'Or Airport]]]]
The airline was founded by Canadian aviation pioneer Russel (Russ) Bradley and started operations as Bradley Air Services in 1946 and is still registered under that name. First Air started scheduled operations in 1973, between [[Ottawa]] and [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]]. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.
The airline was founded at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> First Air started scheduled operations in 1973, between [[Ottawa]] and [[North Bay, Ontario|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), the airline provides services to 26 [[Inuit]] communities in Nunavut, Nunavik and the NWT.<ref name="dest"/> Service to [[Sanikiluaq]], Nunavut is provided in partnership with [[Air Inuit]].
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.<ref name="dest"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/milestones/ |title=Milestones |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> 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.
In 1995, First Air acquired '''Ptarmigan Airways''', and in 1997 '''Northwest Territorial Airways''' (also known as '''NWT Air'''), both merged into First Air.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 is wholly owned by the Inuit people of [[Quebec]] through the [[Makivik Corporation]], which purchased the company in 1990.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/ownership/ |title=Ownership |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
First Air was wholly owned by the Inuit of [[Quebec]] through the [[Makivik Corporation]], which purchased the company in 1990.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2008/08/22/first-air.html |title=First Air fires president Davis |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2008/08/22/first-air.html |title=First Air fires president Davis |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>


On 5 June 2009, First Air received a [[wide-body aircraft]], a [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-223 SF]] (Super Freighter), which was under a three-year [[dry lease]] from (CAM) Cargo Aircraft Management, a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG).<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The 767 has since left the fleet.
On 5 June 2009, First Air received a [[wide-body aircraft]], a [[Boeing 767|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).<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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|Boeing 727-233]] aircraft from its fleet. One was one of only two [[Combi aircraft|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 [[Kivalliq Region|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qfal.ca |title=Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Qfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's [[Qikiqtaaluk Region|Qikiqtani Region]] using First Air's fleet.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfal.ca |title=Sakku First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Sfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>


In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.<ref name="officer">{{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 }}</ref>
⚫
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|Boeing 727-233]] aircraft from its fleet. One was one of only two [[Combi aircraft|combi]] types in the world, and the last [[727-200]] in North America on scheduled passenger-freight services. The other 727-233F full freighter has also been phased out. A [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] turboprop (C-GFNW) was retired in March 2011. Replacing this aircraft type are two [[ATR 72]] [[Combi aircraft|Combi]] turboprops as part of First Air's fleet replacement program. They are outfitted with a cargo handling system, and one is outfitted with a large cargo door. A first of its kind in North America, it is able to handle built [[Unit Load Device]] positions. This in turn will create 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 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/10/04/north-makivik-first-air.html |title=First Air not for sale, says Makivik Corp.|publisher=CBC |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
⚫
In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qfal.ca |title=Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Qfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The new company provides services throughout Nunavut's [[Qikiqtaaluk Region|Qikiqtani Region]] using First Air's fleet.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's [[Kivalliq Region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfal.ca |title=Sakku First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Sfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>


In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Kris Dolinki became President and CEO after Bateman's departure.<ref name="officer">{{cite web|url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/officers/ |title=Officers |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.<ref>{{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}}</ref>


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On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of [[Canadian North]], began negotiations to merge the two airlines.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newnorthernairline.com/|title=Nectar Sleep Mattress & Test Clear - Sleeping & Testing Coupons|website=newnorthernairline.com|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,<ref>{{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}}</ref> but First Air would still [[codeshare]] some flights with Canadian North.
⚫
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 & Sales.<ref>{{cite web|author= CT |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/10/04/north-makivik-first-air.html |title=First Air not for sale, says Makivik Corp. – North – CBC News |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>


⚫
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.
In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation announced it had hired Brock Friesen as its new President and CEO.<ref>{{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}}</ref>


⚫
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 11 April 2014, the [[Makivik Corporation]] and Norterra, owners of [[Canadian North]], announced that they were in negotiations to merge the two airlines.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newnorthernairline.com/|title=Nectar Sleep Mattress & Test Clear - Sleeping & Testing Coupons|website=newnorthernairline.com|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,<ref>{{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|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> but First Air would still [[codeshare]] some flights with Canadian North.


On 1 June 2015, First Air began their [[Codeshare agreement|codeshare]] flights with [[Calm Air]] ending their Kivalliq Regional Flights from [[Rankin Inlet]] to [[Arviat]], [[Baker Lake, Nunavut|Baker Lake]], [[Coral Harbour]], [[Naujaat|Repulse Bay]], [[Whale Cove, Nunavut|Whale Cove]], and [[Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut|Chesterfield Inlet]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
⚫
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 is now providing ATR Turboprop services to Cargojet.


⚫
[[File:First Air logo (historic).svg|thumb|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 21 April 2015, First Air Hercules C-GUSI flew the final civilian L382 flight in Canada, bringing to an end over 45 years of commercial [[Lockheed Hercules]] service. [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules|L382]] Hercules operations in Northern Canada were begun during the 1960s by [[Pacific Western Airlines]].


⚫
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''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
⚫
In 2016, First Air/Bradley Air Services became the oldest airline in Canada still operating under its original name.


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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
⚫
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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975 Federal government approves Canadian North and First Air merger]</ref>


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


== Destinations ==
== Destinations ==
[[File:First Air B737-200.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Boeing 737-200]] at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]]]
[[File:First Air B737-200.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Boeing 737-200]] at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]]]
[[File:First Air's AT42 GSRR.JPG|thumb|[[ATR 42]] at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery]]
[[File:First Air's AT42 GSRR.JPG|thumb|[[ATR 42]] at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery]]
[[File:20100620-C-GKLY-Boeing-767-223-First-Air.jpg|thumb|First Air Boeing 767 at [[Val-d'Or Airport]], [[Quebec]]]]
[[File:20100620-C-GKLY-Boeing-767-223-First-Air.jpg|thumb|First Air Boeing 767 at [[Val-d'Or Airport]], Quebec]]
[[File:First Air C130 GHPW.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules#Variants|L-382G]]]]
[[File:First Air C130 GHPW.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules#Variants|L-382G]]]]
[[File:First Air - Summit Air Avro RJ85 at Yellowknife Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Summit Air]] [[Avro RJ85]] operating for First Air]]
[[File:First Air - Summit Air Avro RJ85 at Yellowknife Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Summit Air]] [[Avro RJ85]] operating for First Air]]
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|Hub
|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 aircraft|Combi]] jetliners as well.<ref>[http://www.departedflights.com Departedflights.com], 15 February 1985; 15 December 1989; 1 October 1991 editions, Official Airline Guide (OAG), Boston-Ottawa schedules</ref> This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.
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 aircraft|Combi]] jetliners as well.<ref>[http://www.departedflights.com Departedflights.com], 15 February 1985; 15 December 1989; 1 October 1991 editions, Official Airline Guide (OAG), Boston-Ottawa schedules</ref> This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.


===Codeshare agreements===
===Codeshare agreements===
First Air has [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:
First Air had [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:


* [[Air Greenland]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Air Greenland]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Air North]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Air North]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[Calm Air]]<ref name="dest"/>
* [[Calm Air]]<ref name="dest"/>
* [[Canadian North]] (ended 16 May 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiannorth.com/info/codeshare|title=Codeshare Agreement|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Canadian North]] (ended 16 May 2017)<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
⚫
As of January 2022, Bradley Air Services had 31 aircraft registered with [[Transport Canada]]. All aircraft are operated as [[Canadian North#Current fleet|Canadian North]]<ref name="TCFleet">{{TCregister|BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES|Bradley Air Services (First Air)|2022-01-10}}</ref>
===Current fleet===
⚫
As of June 2020, First Air had the following aircraft registered with [[Transport Canada]]:<ref name="TCFleet">{{TCregister|BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES|Bradley Air Services (First Air)|2018-06-07}}</ref>

{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ First Air fleet
|- style="background:lightblue;"
!Aircraft||No. of aircraft||Variants||Notes
|-
|[[Aérospatiale]] [[ATR 42]]||align=center|13||[[ATR 42#ATR 42–300|300]], [[ATR 42#ATR 42–320|320]], [[ATR 42#ATR 42–500|500]]||5 ATR 42-300 series and 2 ATR 42-320 series [[combi aircraft]], ice/[[Gravel kit|gravel runway capable]], 6 ATR 42-500, passenger only
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737]]||align=center|4|| [[Boeing 737 Classic#737-400|400]], [[Boeing 737 Classic#737-400|400C]]||3 400C [[combi aircraft]] 78 passengers, 1 737-400 passenger only with 156 seats
⚫
|}

===Aircraft types in current fleet===
<gallery mode=packed>
File:2015-09-06 04 Packed gravel runway at Gjoa Haven Airport (YHK).jpg | ATR 42-300(QC) combi passenger/freight
File:GULU First Air AT43 ATR 42.jpg | ATR 42-320(QC) combi passenger/freight
File:C-FTIL Canadian North-First Air ATR42-500 at Cambridge Bay Airport.jpg | Canadian North-First Air ATR 42-500 passenger only
File: 2017-09-23 First Air Boeing 737-400 (C-FFNM) at Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ), Greenland.jpg | Boeing 737-400 passenger only
File: First Air Boeing 737-406C C-FFNC.jpg | Boeing 737-400C passenger/freight
</gallery>


===Retired fleet===
===Retired fleet===
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* [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] (combi)
* [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] (combi)
* [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules]] (freighter)
* [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules]] (freighter)
* [[ATR 72#ATR 72–200|ATR 72-202]] (combi)
* [[ATR 72#ATR 72-200|ATR 72-202]] (combi)


==Accidents and incidents==
==Accidents and incidents==
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*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.<ref name=ASN19780823>{{ASN accident|19780823-0 |title=C-FQDG|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.<ref>{{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)}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19780823>{{ASN accident|19780823-0 |title=C-FQDG|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.<ref>{{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)}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19790829>{{ASN accident|19790829-0 |title=C-GROW |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.<ref>{{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)}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19790829>{{ASN accident|19790829-0 |title=C-GROW |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.<ref>{{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)}}</ref>
*15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near [[Nord, Greenland|Nord]], [[Greenland]].<ref name=ASN19810315>{{ASN accident|19810315-0 |title=C-FDHT |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near [[Nord, Greenland]].<ref name=ASN19810315>{{ASN accident|19810315-0 |title=C-FDHT |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*15 September 1988, a [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] C-GFFA of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near [[Clarence-Rockland|Hammond]], Ontario as it was approaching into Ottawa International Airport.<ref name=ASN19880915>{{ASN accident|19880915-1 |title=C-GFFA|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew onboard perished.<ref>https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19880915-1</ref>
*15 September 1988, a [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] C-GFFA of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near [[Clarence-Rockland|Hammond]], Ontario as it was approaching into Ottawa International Airport.<ref name=ASN19880915>{{ASN accident|19880915-1 |title=C-GFFA|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew on board perished.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19890112>{{ASN accident|19890112-0 |title=C-GDOV|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19890112>{{ASN accident|19890112-0 |title=C-GDOV|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near [[Markham Bay (Nunavut)|Markham Bay]], Northwest Territories.<ref name=ASN19960812>{{ASN accident|19960812-2 |title=C-GNDN|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew members perished.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
*12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near [[Markham Bay (Nunavut)|Markham Bay]], Northwest Territories.<ref name=ASN19960812>{{ASN accident|19960812-2 |title=C-GNDN|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew members perished.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Defunct airlines of Canada]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Ontario]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Ontario]]
[[Category:Air Transport Association of Canada]]
[[Category:Air Transport Association of Canada]]
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[[Category:Regional airlines of Nunavut]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Nunavut]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1946]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1946]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Yukon]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Yukon]]
[[Category:Inuit transport]]
[[Category:Inuit transport]]

Latest revision as of 12:29, 13 April 2024

First Air
An ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport
IATA ICAO Callsign
7F FAB[1] FIRST AIR
Founded1946 (1946)
Ceased operationsNovember 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
(acquired Canadian North and adopted that name)
AOC #
  • Canada: 107[2]
  • United States: KBJF476F[3]
Hubs
Frequent-flyer programAeroplan
Fleet size31[4]
Destinations35[5]
Headquarters20 Cope Drive, Kanata, Ontario[6]
Key people
  • Chris Avery (President & CEO)
  • Alexandra Pontbriand (VP Finance)
  • Rashwan Domloge (VP Maintenance)
  • Aaron Speer (VP Flight Operations)
  • Andrew Pope (VP Commercial)[7]
Websitewww.firstair.ca (redirects to Canadian North)
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.[6] It operated services to 34 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories.[5] First Air has assisted in various humanitarian missions such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, airlifting relief supplies and equipment.[8] 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.[9] On November 1, 2019, the airline consolidated operations with Canadian North.[10]

History[edit]

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.[11] 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.[5] 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.[12] 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.[13][14]

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.[15]

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).[16] 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.[needs update][citation needed]

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.[17]

In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.[18] The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's Qikiqtani Region using First Air's fleet.[19] Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.[20]

In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.[21] Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.[7]

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.[22]

In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.[23]

On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of Canadian North, began negotiations to merge the two airlines.[24][25] 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."[26] In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,[27] 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.[28]

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.[29] On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.[30]

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.[31]

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.[32] However, full integration was expected to take 12 to 18 months.[33]

Destinations[edit]

First Air Boeing 737-200 at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
ATR 42 at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery
First Air Boeing 767 at Val-d'Or Airport, Quebec
First Air L-382G
Summit Air Avro RJ85 operating for First Air
First Air ATR-42 cabin

First Air operates scheduled services to these domestic destinations in Canada:[5]

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

Codeshare agreements[edit]

First Air had codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet[edit]

As of January 2022, Bradley Air Services had 31 aircraft registered with Transport Canada. All aircraft are operated as Canadian North[4]

Retired fleet[edit]

First Air previously operated the following aircraft types:[40]

Accidents and incidents[edit]

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.[41][42][43]
  • 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.[44] One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.[45]
  • 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.[46] Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.[47]
  • 15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near Nord, Greenland.[48]
  • 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.[49] Both crew on board perished.[50]
  • 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.[51]
  • 12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near Markham Bay, Northwest Territories.[52] Both crew members perished.[53]
  • 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.[54] Crew of four and three passengers survived.[55]
  • 22 May 2001, a Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI of First Air was damaged beyond repair after landing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.[56] All 98 passenger and 6 crew survived.[57]
  • 20 August 2011, Flight 6560, a First Air Boeing 737-210C (C-GNWN)[58] flying a charter flight crashed en route from Yellowknife on final approach to Resolute, killing 12 and injuring 3 others.[59]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Transport Canada – Air Traffic Designators – TP 143" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. ^ Transport Canada (2019-08-30), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
  3. ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Bradley Air Services (First Air)". Transport Canada. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Route Map – First Air – 1 800 267 1247". firstair.ca. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b "First Air Head Office." First Air. Retrieved on 13 January 2012. "20 Cope Drive Kanata, Ontario Canada, K2M 2V8"
  7. ^ a b "Officers". Firstair.ca. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Northern airline sends planes to Haiti". Cbc.ca. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 3 April 2007. p. 82.
  10. ^ "Our history". canadiannorth.com. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Bradley Air Services Ltd". Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Milestones". Firstair.ca. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  13. ^ "First Air". Makivik.org. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Ownership". Firstair.ca. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  15. ^ "First Air fires president Davis". Cbc.ca. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Transport Services Group to Lease 767 to First Air". Abxair.com. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  17. ^ "First Air adds flights to four Kivalliq communities". Nunatsiaq News. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd". Qfal.ca. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and First Air sign new airline joint venture agreement". Firstair.ca. 17 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  20. ^ "Sakku First Aviation Ltd". Sfal.ca. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  21. ^ "First Air's president resigns 14 Dec". Nunatsiaqonline.ca. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  22. ^ "First Air not for sale, says Makivik Corp". CBC. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  23. ^ "First Air gets a new boss. – North". Nunatsiaq News. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Canadian North, First Air plan 'merger of equals'". Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  25. ^ "NunatsiaqOnline 2014-04-11: NEWS: Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger". www.nunatsiaqonline.ca. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Nectar Sleep Mattress & Test Clear - Sleeping & Testing Coupons". newnorthernairline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  27. ^ "NunatsiaqOnline 2014-10-23: NEWS: Airlines announce First Air-Canadian North merger is dead". www.nunatsiaqonline.ca. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  28. ^ "First Air, Calm Air flight changes frustrate Kivalliq residents". 15 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  29. ^ Group, Inuvialuit Corporate. "New milestone agreement reached to merge First Air and Canadian North to better serve Pan-Arctic communities". www.newswire.ca.
  30. ^ "Federal government approves Canadian North and First Air merger". CBC News. 19 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023.
  31. ^ "First Air VP named head of new northern airline". Nunatsiaq News. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  32. ^ Our History
  33. ^ Welcome aboard your NEW Canadian North
  34. ^ Departedflights.com, 15 February 1985; 15 December 1989; 1 October 1991 editions, Official Airline Guide (OAG), Boston-Ottawa schedules
  35. ^ JL (4 May 2012). "First Air and Air Greenland Begin Codeshare". Airlineroute.net. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  36. ^ "NunatsiaqOnline 2016-05-11: NEWS: First Air, Air North strike codeshare deal for Ottawa, Yellowknife, Whitehorse". www.nunatsiaqonline.ca. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  37. ^ "Codeshare Agreement". Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  38. ^ "NunatsiaqOnline 2015-07-28: NEWS: Canadian North, First Air carry out codeshare pact in Nunavut this week". www.nunatsiaqonline.ca. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  39. ^ "NunatsiaqOnline 2016-11-18: NEWS: Codeshare kaput: First Air ends flight sharing deal with Canadian North". www.nunatsiaqonline.ca. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  40. ^ Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result
  41. ^ Accident description for CF-OHD at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  42. ^ Accident description for CF-TVK at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  43. ^ "Otter of the Week". Fly the Bush. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  44. ^ Accident description for C-FQDG at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  45. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-FQDG Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)".
  46. ^ Accident description for C-GROW at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  47. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-GROW Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)".
  48. ^ Accident description for C-FDHT at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  49. ^ Accident description for C-GFFA at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  50. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-FAA SRS. 2B C-GFFA Cheney, ON".
  51. ^ Accident description for C-GDOV at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  52. ^ Accident description for C-GNDN at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  53. ^ "Aviation Investigation Report A96Q0126 - Transportation Safety Board of Canada". 30 April 1998.
  54. ^ Accident description for C-FBNW at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  55. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-335 SRS. 2A SCD C-FBNW Iqaluit Airport, NU (YFB)".
  56. ^ Accident description for C-GNWI at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 15 February 2016.
  57. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI Yellowknife Airport, NT (YZF)".
  58. ^ "First Air 737 Crashes in Northern Canada, Killing 12 - NYCAviation". 20 August 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  59. ^ "Plane crash near Resolute Bay kills 12". Retrieved 2 January 2018.

External links[edit]

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