Media Kit

Press releases

First Air adds the “Dogsled” livery to northern series

July 21, 2010 – Kanata, Ontario. First Air is proud to announce the eleventh in a series of unique northern images adorning aircraft tails since 2005.

First Air’s Boeing 767 Super Freighter now prominently features the fascinating northern image of a traditional dogsled. The image depicts a dog-team crossing Lancaster Sound in the Northwest Passage during a historical dogsled journey undertaken in1987. Photo credit goes to Mike Beedell, a sought-after photographer who specializes in capturing northern images. The impressive tail surface is 800 square feet per side.

“Each unique tail design is an opportunity to represent the character and culture of the communities we serve,” says Chris Ferris, VP Marketing and Sales of First Air. “As the traditional Inuit mode of transporting goods, the dogsled is an appropriate symbol to represent the largest scheduled freighter in the Arctic.”

The stable of livery continues to expand since the introduction of the “Inuksuk” on the Boeing 737 in December 2005. Since then, First Air tail images have included the Caribou, the Umingmak (the Inuktitut word for Muskox), the Beluga whale and Arctic Wolf, featured on ATR42 aircraft; and the Polar Bear, the Aurora Borealis, the Igloo, the Drum Dancer and the Ookpik (the Inuktitut word for Snowy Owl), all featured on Boeing 737 aircraft.

Mike Beedell is a photographer, conservationist and outdoor educator with 34 years of experience exploring and photographing remote locations of the world. He is author of the Canadian bestseller “The Magnetic North” and has produced outstanding northern imagery for a broad cross-section of clients. Mike’s work has been featured in many of the world’s finest magazines and has been exhibited throughout the world. For more information about Mike Beedell, visit www.mikebeedellphoto.ca.

First Air has been connecting the people of the North for 60 years and offers scheduled service to more northern destinations than any other airline. The Inuit-owned airline has over 1000 employees, of which more than 450 work and live in the North. For more information about First Air, visit www.firstair.ca.

Contact:
Mr. Chris Ferris
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
First Air
Phone: 613-254-6395
cferris@firstair.ca

First Air and Kivalliq Inuit Association announce transportation services agreement for beneficiaries

July 6, 2010 — Ottawa — First Air and the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) are pleased to announce an agreement providing preferred pricing for transportation services for KIA beneficiaries.

The agreement provides KIA Beneficiaries with preferred rates for passenger travel throughout the entire First Air route network. The agreement also provides preferred cargo rates to facilitate the shipment of tools and equipment necessary to support their traditional lifestyle.

“We are pleased to have reached this milestone agreement with First Air, which allows our people access within and outside our region via First Air’s extensive northern network,” says Joe Kaludjak, Vice President of KIA.

With this agreement in place, First Air now provides tangible benefits of preferred travel and cargo rates to the majority of Inuit in Nunavut.

“As an Inuit owned organization, we are proud to develop these meaningful relationships with the KIA and QIA, two of the largest constituencies of Northern Canada,” says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “We look forward to developing these relationships further as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to being The Airline of the North.”

First Air is the largest provider of passenger and cargo services to Canada’s northern communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and Northwest Territories, with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Montreal. For more information about First Air, visit www.firstair.ca.

KIA is a Designated Inuit Organization (DIO), which represents the interests of all Inuit living in the Kivalliq Region, acts as a lobbying group, and administers, monitors and protects provisions of the Nunavut Final Agreement in the Kivalliq Region. For more information about Kivalliq Inuit Association, visit www.kivalliqinuit.ca.

Contact:

Mr. Chris Ferris
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
First Air
Phone: 613-254-6414
cferris@firstair.ca

Mr. Joe Kaludjak
Vice President
Kivalliq Inuit Association
Phone: 867-645-5725

First Air Announces Realignment of Flight Schedule

April 15, 2010 — Ottawa — First Air, The Airline of the North, today announced changes to the scheduled route network to take effect June 1, 2010.

Effective June 1, 2010, First Air will make changes to the scheduled route network introducing new service to the community of Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. Service on “trans-territorial” flights between Yellowknife and Iqaluit will now operate between Yellowknife and Montreal with improved connections for the Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit markets. As part of the realignment service on the Yellowknife-Edmonton market will be reduced from 16 round trip flights per week to 6 round trip flights each week.

“We are responding to changes in the marketplace and focusing our schedule on serving our core Northern Markets” says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “With our previous expansion in the Kivalliq region, this current schedule realignment confirms our position as the key facilitator of economic activity throughout the Arctic.”

The schedule taking effect on June 1, 2010 will provide for enhanced connections throughout First Air’s extensive Northern route network. Same day connections are now possible every weekday from Rankin Inlet through to Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, with improved access to Ottawa and Montreal.

The introduction of service to Norman Wells will be offered four days per week as part of the current service to Inuvik.

First Air is the largest provider of passenger and cargo services to Canada’s northern communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Montreal. With the addition of Norman Wells, First Air provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 30 northern communities in the North. First Air employees live and work in the North, and remain dedicated to excellence in customer service and the belief in continuous improvement making First Air “The Airline of the North.”

Reservations can be made through First Air Reservations at 1-800-267-1247 or online at www.firstair.ca.

Contact: Terri Lynn Potter
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Phone: 613-254-6417
tlpotter@firstair.ca

First Air announces expansion in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region

January 27, 2010 — Ottawa — First Air, The Airline of the North, today announced expansion plans into four communities in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region.

Effective March 30, 2010, First Air will begin service to the communities of Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, and Whale Cove. With this announcement, First Air now serves the entire Kivalliq Region.

“These customer focused service enhancements provide for more frequent service to Iqaluit” says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “Communities in the Kivalliq Region will benefit from improved connections to our jet service, while positioning First Air as a key facilitator in the growing economic activity in the Region.”

First Air also announced that service from Baker Lake to Rankin Inlet will now feature First Air’s ATR-42 turbo prop aircraft. In addition, it will also operate three times a week between Baker Lake-Rankin Inlet-Chesterfield Inlet-Coral Harbour-Cape Dorset-Iqaluit.

Service between the communities of Repulse Bay and Rankin Inlet will be offered four days a week using an Unaalik Aviation Beech 99 aircraft based in Repulse Bay. The existing service between Arviat and Rankin Inlet will have service to Whale Cove added three days a week.

First Air is the largest provider of passenger and cargo services to Canada’s northern communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Montreal. With the addition of Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Habour, Repulse Bay, and Whale Cove, First Air provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 30 northern communities in the North. First Air employees live and work in the North, and remain dedicated to excellence in customer service and the belief in continuous improvement making First Air “The Airline of the North.”

Reservations can be made through First Air Reservations at 1-800-267-1247 or online at www.firstair.ca.

 

Contact: Terri Lynn Potter
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Phone: 613-254-6417
tlpotter@firstair.ca

Arctic airline First Air mobilizes freighter to fly aid for Haiti

January 15, 2010 — Toronto — Today, First Air mobilized its Boeing 767-223 Super Freighter from Kuujjuaq to Toronto, to load relief supplies bound for Haiti. The aircraft is being donated on behalf of First Air and the Belinda Stronach Foundation.

“First Air is pleased to provide critical airlift and financial support to help with the humanitarian efforts being undertaken for this disaster area,” said Scott Bateman, President and CEO. “We are mobilizing our heavy lift cargo aircraft as quickly as possible to supply vital airlift support to rescue and relief efforts.”

The Boeing 767-223 is a cargo-only aircraft with a maximum payload of 98,700 lbs, and normally operates delivering foodmail, mail, and freight to the Eastern Arctic. The normal cost of this mission would be over $125,000, with costs being shared by First Air and the Belinda Stronach Foundation. The plane and its four-man crew will arrive in Toronto this evening, and loading of the aircraft will take place during the night. They are scheduled to fly to Haiti tomorrow morning.

Early this morning, First Air’s two Lockheed 382 Hercules aircraft completed their first mission in delivering supplies to Haiti. Both aircraft delivered specialized search and rescue equipment, generators, and other aid supplies. They are currently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic preparing for further missions.

First Air is the only commercial operator of Lockheed 382 Hercules aircraft in Canada. Each of the First Air Lockheed 382 Hercules aircraft provides over 45,000 lbs and 6,000 cubic feet of capacity. In addition, the aircraft is designed to operate with minimal ground support equipment enabling rapid loading and off loading cargo.

First Air is the largest provider of passenger and cargo services to Canada’s northern communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Reservations can be made through First Air Reservations at 1-800-267-1247 or online at www.firstair.ca.

 

Contact: Terri Lynn Potter
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Phone: 613-254-6417
tlpotter@firstair.ca

First Air continues to expand with addition of Arviat, Nunavut to schedule

Ottawa, Ontario – March 24, 2009, First Air, The Airline of the North is pleased to announce scheduled service 5 days per week between Arviat and Rankin Inlet effective April 15, 2009. This service will be operated by Unaalik Aviation utilizing a Beech 99 aircraft based in Arviat on behalf of First Air and will connect directly to First Air jet services in Rankin Inlet.

The new service will provide reduced travel times between Arviat and the communities of Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Edmonton and Yellowknife. The flight from Arviat will depart at 12:15 arriving Rankin Inlet at 12:55 Monday to Friday. The return service departs Rankin Inlet at 14:00 arriving Arviat at 14:40.

“Our expansion in the Kivalliq region is being met with a very positive response.” says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “The constituents of Arviat, one of Nunavut’s largest communities, can now enjoy same day connections to First Air’s east-west and north-south jet network while enjoying our excellent customer service experience”.

With the addition of Arviat, First Air provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 26 northern communities in Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. First Air employees, including over 400 employees who live and work in the North, remain dedicated to excellence in customer service and the belief in continuous improvement making First Air “The Airline of the North.” Reservations can be made through First Air Reservations at 1-800-267-1247 or online at www.firstair.ca.

Contact:
Mr. Chris Ferris
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
Phone: 613 254-6414
cferris@firstair.ca

First Air continues Nunavut expansion with introduction of Baker Lake connection to Rankin Inlet

Ottawa, Ontario – March 3, 2009, First Air, The Airline of the North is pleased to announce scheduled service 5 days per week between Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake effective March 16, 2009. This service will be operated by Unaalik Aviation on behalf of First Air and will connect directly to the recently announced First Air jet service between Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The service will provide more efficient travel reducing transit times between Baker Lake and the communities of Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Edmonton and Yellowknife. The flight from Baker Lake will depart at 11:45 arriving Rankin Inlet at 12:30 Monday to Friday utilizing Unaalik Aviation’s Beech 99 aircraft.

“This service provides the connection to First Air jet service that people in the community have been asking for,” said Jimi Onalik, President Unaalik Aviation. “We know that customers in this area will be pleased with this initiative.”

“This service to Baker Lake is a key addition to the First Air route network, connecting one of the largest communities in Nunavut to our extensive route network.” says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “This First Air service will enable the constituents of Baker Lake to significantly reduce their travel time to Winnipeg and enjoy First Air’s unmatched customer service”.

Now including Baker Lake, First Air provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 25 northern communities in Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. Over 1,000 First Air employees remain dedicated to excellence in customer service and the belief in continuous improvement making First Air “The Airline Of The North.”

Reservations can be made through First Air Reservations at 1-800-267-1247.

Contact:
Mr. Chris Ferris
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
Phone: 613 254-6414
cferris@firstair.ca

First Air announces return of jet passenger service between Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet

Ottawa, Ontario – February 16, 2009 – Beginning March 2, 2009 passengers will once again be able to enjoy passenger jet service between the communities of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Winnipeg, Manitoba. First Air, “The Airline of the North”, will offer jet service 5 days a week between these communities with a Boeing 737 aircraft.

Passengers will once again be able to enjoy First Air’s industry leading passenger service including direct jet service with hot meals, generous baggage allowance and superior customer service. The flight will operate Monday to Friday and will allow passengers to cut their current travel time in half.

“We have heard the concerns of the people, business and leaders in the region and believe there is an opportunity for this service to be successful”, says Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “We will be looking for the support of everyone who asked for this service to be restored and invite them back on board First Air”.

First Air, “The Airline of The North” provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 24 northern communities in Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal.

Contact:
Mr. Chris Ferris
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
Phone: 613 254-6414
cferris@firstair.ca

First Air responds to announcement of seasonal service for Yellowknife market by southern carrier

Ottawa, Ontario – December 18, 2008 – First Air, “The Airline of the North” believes that the service introduction announced Wednesday by another southern carrier comes at a time when the northern economy is retreating from peak levels of activity. Travel is already in decline for key segments of the travel market with the resource industry, government and tourism all expected to decline further throughout 2009.

The air travel market between Yellowknife and southern Canada currently has excess passenger capacity and this situation will be made worse with the addition of seasonal service not required by the market.
“We see this as another southern carrier cherry picking the northern market that is the easiest to serve, without making any real contribution or investment to that marketplace or the communities beyond the Yellowknife gateway”, says Christopher Ferris, spokesperson for First Air.

First Air has and will continue to support customers throughout the North with competitive prices and customer service that puts “You First”. “We are matching the $149 seat sale price and we remind customers that First Air does not have additional surcharges for fuel, Nav Canada or insurance. We invite all of Canada to enjoy this spectacular gateway to the North and experience our industry leading leg room, hot meals, complimentary wine, generous baggage allowance and northern hospitality.” says Christopher Ferris, spokesperson at First Air.

First Air, “The Airline of The North” provides scheduled passenger and cargo services to more northern destinations than any other airline. First Air is 100% Inuit owned with over 450 employees who work and live in the north with over 250 employees in Yellowknife.

Contact:
Ms. Terri Lynn Potter
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Phone: 613 254-6417
tlpotter@firstair.ca

First Air announces withdrawal of passenger service between Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet

Ottawa, Ontario - August 18, 2008 – Jet passenger service between Winnipeg, Manitoba and the communities of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Thompson, Manitoba is ending. First Air’s last passenger flight between these communities operates on Sunday September 14, 2008. The loss of significant passenger traffic between the Kivalliq communities of Nunavut and Winnipeg since April 1, 2008 is the principle reason for service being discontinued.

First Air will continue to offer scheduled jet freighter service between Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet using a Boeing 737 aircraft flying three days a week.

Passengers holding reservations for travel after September 14, 2008 should contact their travel arranger or First Air reservations at 1 800 267-1247 for a full refund.

First Air, “The Airline of The North” provides scheduled passenger and cargo services between 25 northern communities in Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon with service to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. www.firstair.ca

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Scott Bateman
Vice President, Commercial Operations
Phone: 613 254-6394
sbateman@firstair.ca

First Air is the third largest scheduled carrier in Canada. It operates over 30 aircraft, and services more than 30 communities, focusing on passenger and cargo transportation to northern Canada.