Canadian North

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For the geographic region, see Northern Canada.
Canadian North
IATA
5T		 ICAO
MPE		 Callsign
EMPRESS
Founded 1989
Hubs Yellowknife Airport
Frequent-flyer program Aeroplan
Fleet size 15[1]
Destinations 19[2]
Parent company NorTerra Inc.
Headquarters Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Key people Tracy Medve, President
Website http://www.canadiannorth.com

Canadian North Inc. is an airline based in the Northwest Tower in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates scheduled passenger services to major communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Southern gateways include Edmonton and Ottawa. Its main base is Yellowknife Airport.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

Canadian North Boeing 737-200 (GFPW) in current livery at Yellowknife Airport

The airline was established in 1989 to focus on the changing air transport needs of northern Canadian communities. Canadian North was purchased from Canadian Airlines in September 1998 by Norterra, a wholly Northern aboriginal-owned holding company,[3] whose ownership is divided equally among the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, representing the Inuvialuit people of the western Canadian Arctic, and Nunasi Corporation, representing the Inuit people of Nunavut.

In 2001, following the merger between Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, Canadian North became an independent airline. After two years of utilizing three different schemes (two from Canadian and one from Air Canada) the airline adopted a new image in 2003. Its logo displays three of the distinctive symbols of the North: the polar bear, the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Recently, Canadian North's slogan has been changed from "Your North. Your Airline" to "seriously northern" (all in lower-case), with advertising changed to reflect different aspects of the company (serious service, serious delivery, etc.).[4]

In June 2007, Canadian North began serving the Kitikmeot communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, and Kugluktuk.[5]

In April 2008, flights began to seven communities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (Baffin Region) of Nunavut.[6]

[edit] Destinations

Canadian North Boeing 737-200 in Val-d'Or.
Canadian North Boeing 737-200 in old colours at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in 2001
Canadian North portable deicer
Deicing at Cambridge Bay Airport

As of May 2011 domestic scheduled destinations:[2][6]

[edit] Charter operations

[edit] Aircraft

As of December 2011 the following aircraft are listed by Transport Canada as being registered to Canadian North:[1] It is also listed at Planespotters.net[11]

Canadian North Fleet
Aircraft No. of Aircraft Variants Idents Notes
Boeing 737 10 737-200, 737-200C, 737-300 GKCP, GCNV, GNDU, GCNS, GFPW, GOPW, GSPW, GDPA, GCNW, GCNZ Passenger only and combi aircraft, gravel and ice runway capable
de Havilland Canada Dash 8 4 100 series GECN, GRGI, GRGO, GXCN Formerly leased from Regional 1

Additionally, Transport Canada lists a Fokker F28 that is not on the Canadian North website.[1]

[edit] Partnerships

In the north Canadian has partnerships with Air Tindi, Aklak Air, Calm Air and North-Wright Airways.[12] These partnerships give them access to 14 destinations in the NWT, 6 in Nunavut and 6 in Manitoba.[2] They also partner with Air Canada to provide access to several cities in southern Canada.[12]

[edit] Corporate affairs

Canadian North has its headquarters in the Northwest Tower in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada.[13][14] In addition it has a regional head office in Iqaluit, Nunavut and an operations office in Calgary, Alberta.[13]

[edit] Programs and services

Canadian North de Havilland Canada Dash 8 at Cambridge Bay Airport

The airline offers Aeroplan rewards points, both to collect and to redeem. Passengers may redeem Air Miles points for travel on Canadian North.[15][16]

Canadian North also has its own "Aurora Concierge" program for frequent travellers. Benefits of being an Aurora Concierge member include: Priority check-in, baggage, and boarding, extra piece of checked luggage, free alcoholic beverages, no fee changes, personalized membership card and baggage tag, and more.[17]

As of June 5, 2010, Canadian North began codeshareing flights on aircraft operated by Air Canada. Aurora Concierge members are now allowed access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges by purchasing membership through Canadian North.[18]

Canadian North in-flight service includes:

  • A choice of one of two free meals (on select flights)
  • Free drinks (non-alcoholic)
  • Advanced seat selection
  • Free newspapers and magazines
  • Free colouring books and crayons for children

Starting in 2005 the airline has offered a Pivut Fare ("ours") to Inuvialuit and Inuit (Nunavut) land claims beneficiaries. In 2010/2011 the Pivut Fare entitled a beneficiary to 65% off three airfares.[19]

[edit] Incidents

  • On June 5, 2007, a Canadian North De Havilland Canada Dash 8, en route from Gjoa Haven to Cambridge Bay made an emergency landing at Yellowknife Airport after its nose gear failed to deploy on approach to Cambridge Bay Airport. The pilot made the decision to re-route to Yellowknife, as the airport was more equipped for emergency landings. The aircraft landed safely in Yellowknife on its main gear. There were no injuries.[20]
  • On May 22, 2008 a Canadian North Boeing 737-200 en route from Fort MacKay/Horizon Airport encountered a major vibration and subsequent failure of the right engine on final approach to Saskatoon. The failure occurred when the aircraft was 500 m (1,600 ft) above the ground and 1,700 m (5,600 ft) from runway 33 at Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. The aircraft had 102 passengers and 5 crew on board. There were no injuries. The aircraft was operating a charter service (Flight 1714) that was scheduled as Fort McKay/Horizon - Saskatoon - Montreal - Moncton.[21]

[edit] References

Portal icon Northwest Territories portal
Portal icon Companies portal
Portal icon Aviation portal
  1. ^ a b c Transport Canada listing of aircraft owned by "Canadian North"
  2. ^ a b c Route map and Flight Schedule
  3. ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 60. 2007-04-03. 
  4. ^ Who We Are
  5. ^ Canadian North Launches New Service to Four Kitikmeot Communities
  6. ^ a b Canadian North Launches New Service to Seven Baffin Communities
  7. ^ Laughlin Nevada Chamber of Commerce newsletter[dead link]
  8. ^ Supply management - selected awarded contracts[dead link]
  9. ^ Oilsands a magnet for air carrier traffic
  10. ^ No. 31 Canadian North Charter Terminal. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd
  11. ^ "Canadian North - Details and Fleet History". Planespotters. 2011-07-24. http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Canadian-North. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 
  12. ^ a b Partners
  13. ^ a b "Administration." Canadian North. Retrieved on January 20, 2011. "Head Office - Yellowknife 300, 5201 50 Ave. Yellowknife, NT X1A 3S9 Canada"
  14. ^ "Directory Information." Government of the Northwest Territories. Retrieved on January 20, 2011. "NT Northwest Tower 5201 – 50 Ave"
  15. ^ Aeroplan
  16. ^ Air Miles
  17. ^ Aurora Concierge
  18. ^ Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Offer
  19. ^ Pivut Information
  20. ^ Passengers describe emergency landing at Yellowknife airport - CBC.ca
  21. ^ The Aviation Herald

[edit] External links

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