First Air, Canadian North resurrect merger plans

First Air (7F, Carp) and Canadian North (5T, Yellowknife) will attempt to merge once more following the signing of an agreement in principle between their respective parent firms, Makivik Corporation (Makivik) and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG), last week.
The two carriers pushed for a merger in 2014 only for the talks to collapse after five months.
In a joint statement, Makivik said the renewed tie-up bid was made possible by the new direction of Charlie Watt, Sr. As such, the merger would aim to provide the best possible essential air services across the Arctic.
"The world is changing and we need to adapt to new realities," Charlie Watt Sr., Makivik President, said. "This is one way to assert our sovereignty across the Arctic."
The two firms expect the merger to improve Arctic connectivity by providing greater service reliability, better on-time service, and fewer interruptions.
In terms of operations, First Air operates a fleet of two ARJ-85s (wet-leased from Summit Air Charters (Yellowknife)), three ATR42-300s, four -300(QC)s, six ATR42-500s, one B737-400, and three B737-400(M)s on flights to 28 towns and cities across Canada's North. For its part, Canadian North operates two B737-200(M)s, eight B737-300s, two B737-300(QC)s, and two Dash 8-100s on regular flights to 18 destinations in Canada's northern regions.
The combined fleet and workforce would also improve the sustainability and efficiency of Arctic air services thus enabling the airline to more effectively meet demand across the region while addressing challenges related to pilot shortages.
Following the execution of definitive agreements and the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, the merged airline would operate under the Canadian North name albeit using the new First Air livery, including its Inukshuk logo. The headquarters for the proposed airline would also be located in Ottawa. The parties expect to complete the merger by the end of 2018.






"By merging these airlines we look forward to new economic opportunities in Canada and internationally, and to better air services for Inuit across the circumpolar region," the carriers said.

First Air adds first ATR42 dedicated freighter

First Air (7F, Carp) operated its first commercial flight with its redelivered ATR42-300 Class C dedicated-freighter on February 22, marking the entry into service of the world's first such Avions de Transport Régional converted aircraft.

Operated by First Air as a Quick Change (QC) variant since 2001, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows C-FIQU (msn 138) was retired from active service in August 2017 in order to undergo P2F conversion at Ottawa Int'l.
Aside from three other ATR42-300(QC)s, as well as three ATR42-300s and six ATR42-500s, the Canadian regional specialist also operates two ARJ-85s (wet-leased from Summit Air Charters (Yellowknife)), one B737-400, and three B737-400(F)s on regular and chartered flights to remote communities in Canada's Nunavut, Nunavik, and Northwest Territories.

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First Air to boost fleet with Summit Air ATR72(F)s

First Air (7F, Carp) will wet-lease in ATR 72-200(F) capacity from fellow Canadian operator Summit Air Charters (Yellowknife) as part of their recently expanded commercial partnership agreement.

In a statement confirming the extension of their existing tie-up by a further four years, First Air said it would use the Avions de Transport Régional turboprop freighters to supplement its own ATR42-300(QC)s as and where needed.
First Air currently wet-leases Summit Air's pair of ARJ-85s for use on flights from Edmonton Int'l to Yellowknife and onwards from there to Norman Wells and Inuvik.

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FIRST AIR - ATR-42-500F - C-GKLB

Ton Jochems - YZF

FIRST AIR - B737-200 - C-FNVK

Ton Jochems - YZF

FIRST AIR - B737-400F - C-FFNE

Gilbert Hechema - Montreal  - Canada

Last B737-400F FIRST AIR - C-FFNF / TA-032

Gilbert Hechema - Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International -  Canada

FIRST AIR - B737-400 - C-FFNC

Gilbert Hechema - Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International

First Air to convert two of three ex-KLM 737-400s into combis

First Air has acquired three former KLM B737-400s, two of which will be converted into a combi-configuraton (4 pallets & 72 passenger seats) with PEMCO World Air Services.

Thus far, it is understood that msn 25412 will be the first to undergo conversion at Tampa Int'l starting later this month with its service entry date set for late 2013.

A second 737-400, set for service entry in early 2014, has been allocated a slot on the conversion line though the exact msn has not yet been revealed. A third 737-400 will remain in a full pax configuration and will be deployed on the airline's Ottawa Int'l to Iqaluit route in August. The Canadian operator, which specializes in serving remote communities in Canada's Nunavut, Nunavik and Northwest Territories, says the added size of the B737-400, against that of its B737-200 Adv.s, will allow it to "increase capacity and operate at a higher level of efficiency." First Air currently operates the ATR42, the ATR72, the B727-200(M), the B737-200 Adv., the B737-200(M) and a B767-200(F).

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Photos:First Air