In the same year, First Air, in collaboration
with Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, launched
Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd., a joint-venture
that would serve the Baffin region. Code
sharing has allowed for further expan-
sion. Since 2012, First Air has been offer-
ing seasonal service to Nuuk, the capital
of Greenland, via Air Greenland. This year,
the company has emerged as the first op-
erator in Canada to use the ATR 42-500.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
“Northern Canada is unusual to anyone
who’s never been there,” van der Stege
said. This extraordinary chunk of territory
constantly tests the strength of the airline,
primarily through taxing weather. Extreme
weather conditions hinder accessibility to
communities of the North and endanger
safe landing. Poor infrastructure, including
“We’re very proud to have a large number of Inuit employees aswell as employees
who are permanently based in the North. We think that is a great way to create
jobs and contribute to the local economy.”
Credit - Brian Tattuinee
14 business elite canada
H
MAY 2016
