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New airline joint venture in Kivalliq Region
November 30, 2010 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Sakku Investments Corporation and First Air are pleased to announce the launch of Sakku First Aviation Ltd., a joint venture airline headquartered in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and operating throughout the Kivalliq region.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward for the Kivalliq Region,” said Patrick Tagoona, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sakku Investments Corporation. “Sakku First Aviation Ltd. is an opportunity for the Inuit of the Kivalliq Region to take an ownership position in a key economic driver while providing real employment and financial benefits to our beneficiaries.”
Sakku First Aviation Ltd. is majority owned by Sakku Investments Corporation. It will initially provide air transportation to the mining and mineral exploration industry within the Kivalliq region.
“First Air’s goal has always been to provide tangible benefits to the people we serve,” said Scott Bateman, President and CEO of First Air. “This agreement combines the market knowledge and local expertise of Kivallirmiut with the industry leading airline expertise that First Air has developed over 60 years of Arctic operations.”
Sakku First Aviation will provide a range of aviation services throughout the Kivalliq Region utilizing First Air’s fleet of Boeing 737, 767, ATR 42, ATR72 and Hercules Aircraft. Sakku First Aviation will operate from four bases in the Kivalliq region: Arviat, Baker Lake, Repulse Bay and headquarters in Rankin Inlet.
Sakku Investments Corporation is the business arm of the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA). The Mission of Sakku is to build a viable and healthy economy for the Inuit of the Kivalliq region. Since its incorporation in 1989, Sakku has met its mission primarily through strategic partnerships with other corporations. For more information about Sakku Investments Corporation, visit www.sakkuinvestments.ca.
First Air has been connecting the people of the North for over 60 years and offers cargo, charter and 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:
Jennifer Alldred
Manager, Marketing Communications
First Air
Phone: 613-254-6395
Patrick Tagoona
President & CEO
Sakku Investments Corporation
Phone: 867-645-2805