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Connecting Canada's North to the world.
Founded
1946
Headquarters
Ottawa, Canada
First Air was a Canadian regional airline specializing in scheduled passenger and cargo services to remote communities across northern Canada, including Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and northern Quebec. Operating as one of the largest northern carriers in Canada, it played a vital role in linking isolated Arctic communities with southern urban centers.
The airline was founded in 1946 and grew to become a significant lifeline for communities with limited surface transportation options, offering both passenger routes and critical cargo supply services. First Air was wholly owned by the Makivik Corporation, an Inuit organization representing the Inuit of Nunavik.
In 2019, First Air merged with Canadian North, another northern Canadian carrier, to form a single unified airline operating under the Canadian North name. The merger was aimed at improving service reliability and sustainability for northern communities.
Hubs & network
First Air primarily operated from Ottawa (YOW) and Yellowknife (YZF) as key hub airports serving northern routes.
Fleet
First Air operated a mixed fleet including Boeing 737-400 and 737-200 aircraft, as well as ATR 42 turboprops for shorter regional routes.
Notable facts
- ›First Air was fully owned by Makivik Corporation, an Inuit organization representing the Inuit of Nunavik.
- ›The airline served over 30 communities across northern Canada, many accessible only by air.
- ›First Air merged with Canadian North in 2019 to operate under the Canadian North brand.
- ›A First Air Boeing 737-200 crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut in August 2011, killing 12 of 15 people on board.
- ›The airline provided essential cargo services including food and supplies to remote Arctic communities.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
