Company History -- First Air

About First Air

Company History

Charter Services

Pilot training and small aircraft, local charter work were the backbone of the company's operations until the mid-fifties. The advent of the DEW line (Distant Early Warning line) construction program brought about the first major sortie into expanded operations.

During 1954-1956 four Cessna 180s were engaged in the Northwest Territories (NT) for charter and aerial survey for the DEW line construction contractors. This was just the beginning of an expansion program which has seen the company become the foremost Arctic air carrier in the world.

In 1958 the company began regular operations in the High Arctic Islands in support of the Geological Survey of Canada using Piper Super Cubs on tundra tires which were especially engineered by First Air personnel.

During 1958-1968 charter operations in the Arctic Islands continued to grow and expand. Larger aircraft such as Beavers and single-engined Otters were used for this unique requirement. Scientific and government agencies engaged in exploration, survey and mapping were the first major customers to use this service.

In 1968 the company obtained the contract to supply the airborne support for the federal government's Polar Continental Shelf Project. This contract required extensive air support throughout the Canadian Arctic and Greenland as well as off-shore ice operations in the Beaufort Sea from bases at Point Barrow, Alaska and Tuktoyaktuk, NT. The company, to this day, still provides air support to the Polar Continental Shelf Project.

In 1971 Bradley bought its first deHavilland Twin Otter. Also in 1971 the company opened the world's most northerly based commercial air service at Eureka on Ellesmere Island (600 nautical miles from the North Pole). In 1972 two DC-3s were purchased to meet the ever-increasing demands of mineral, oil and scientific exploration in the Arctic Islands.

A major base at Resolute Bay, NU was opened in 1973 and this has become the main staging point for the extensive charter operations now carried on in the High Arctic. In December 1975, First Air opened another base at Iqaluit, NU, which is located on south Baffin Island. In June 1978, an additional base was opened at Hall Beach, NU. It is now expected that, between the months of March and October, which is the peak operating period in the Arctic, approximately two hundred people and seventeen aircraft will be working each year for First Air north of the 60th parallel of latitude.

The Canadian Arctic Islands are not the only areas in which polar operations are conducted. In 1974 First Air was selected to provide the airborne support for the Ross Ice Shelf Project in Antarctica. This contract was administered by the United States Navy and involved the use of a company Twin Otter which was especially equipped for remote operations in the vicinity of the South Pole. This was the first commercial air operation on the Antarctic continent. The company continues to this day to provide seasonal air support in Antarctica to a variety of international clients.

The United States Air Force selected First Air to perform the daily logistical support of two Dye sites at 8,000 feet above sea level on top of the Greenland Ice Cap. A Twin Otter was used for this service and the base of operation was at Kangerlussuaq (Sondrestromfjord) on the west coast of Greenland. After performing this turnkey service for two years, the operation was turned over to Greenlandair.

Expanding from the polar regions into warmer climes, in late 1994 the company entered into a long term lease with a commercial airline in the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide a Twin Otter to operate their scheduled service route network throughout the Caribbean.

In late 1987 and until its wind-up in late 1994, First Air took over the contract for all lateral support of the DEW line which involved resupplying stations from the Alaska border to Greenland. This contract utilized two Hawker Siddeley 748 aircraft and two Twin Otters and additionally utilized First Air's extensive scheduled services network for the movement of passengers and cargo.

In early 1986 the company purchased a Boeing 727-100C aircraft for use in its charter and scheduled operations. This aircraft is a convertible model capable of carrying a variety of combinations of passengers and cargo and has an all-cargo payload of 38,000 pounds with a range of 2,500 miles at a cruising speed of 550 miles per hour. The Boeing 727 is used for cargo and passenger charters throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.

In May 1993, First Air purchased its first B727-200 all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying twelve pallets with a 55,000 pound payload. Present day operation sees the company now operating a total of six Boeing 727 aircraft including three B727-100s and three B727-200s.

First Air has frequently flown various Prime Ministers of Canada, and several members of the British Royal Family on Arctic visits.

First Air also provides advanced pilot training and type endorsements on various aircraft types along with basic and recurrent maintenance and aircrew ground schools.

From 1986-2004, the company operated a specially equipped Dash 7-150 aircraft for the Atmospheric Environment Service of the federal Department of Environment for ice patrol purposes in the Arctic and the Atlantic seaboard. First Air provided aircrew and maintenance services for this contract.

Scheduled Services

Since 1973, Bradley Air Services (operating under the trademark name of First Air) has continually expanded its scheduled services from its initial single route which was operated between Ottawa and North Bay with an eight-passenger aircraft. The present day route structure serves 28 communities in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories covering an amazing 15,500 route miles through a fleet of 20 aircraft of various sizes that are capable of carrying various cargo/passenger configurations.

First Air expects to carry approximately 200,000 passengers and over 20 million kilograms of freight and mail yearly on its scheduled services. The company currently employs over 1000 people in providing these services.

First Air's schedules and fares are accessible by travel agencies worldwide by calling (in Canada) 1-800-267-1247 or TTY 1-877-873-3718. You can also reach us by fax at (613) 254-6303 or by e-mail at reservat@firstair.ca.

Late in 1995 First Air bought 100% of Ptarmigan Airways Ltd., a regional carrier based in Yellowknife, NT. Ptarmigan Airways had previously served the Western portion of the Northwest Territories for over thirty years and operated a variety of aircraft ranging from the Cessna 185 to the Grumman Gulfstream 1. Ptarmigan Airways brought to First Air's route structure an ability to provide scheduled service to Hay River and Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories as well to Whitehorse, in the Yukon.

First Air operated Twin Otter aircraft specializing in the support of mining and exploration camps all across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Twin Otter was utilized on floats, skis, wheel-skis and tundra tires. The "offstrip" capability of the Twin Otter allowed air access to even the most remote and isolated locations on a year round basis.

In June 1997, First Air continued the expansion of its fleet through the purchase of 100% of NWT Air. At the time of its acquisition by First Air, NWT Air employed 180 people and had been serving the North for approximately 35 years. The purchase of NWT Air added two B737s and one Hercules aircraft to the First Air fleet and enabled First Air to provide scheduled services to Rankin Inlet and other northern points from facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Edmonton Alberta.

Today First Air offers scheduled service to 29 destinations in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Alberta, Yukon, Quebec and Ontario operating a fleet of 20 aircraft. The Inuit-owned airline has over 1000 employees, of which more than 450 work and live in the North.

About First Air President's Message Corporate Profile Officers of the Company Fleet Other Aviation Services Sponsorships Makivik Above & Beyond Customer Comments Aeroplan Employment Media Kit		About First Air Company History Charter Services Pilot training and small aircraft, local charter work were the backbone of the company's operations until the mid-fifties. The advent of the DEW line (Distant Early Warning line) construction program brought about the first major sortie into expanded operations. During 1954-1956 four Cessna 180s were engaged in the Northwest Territories (NT) for charter and aerial survey for the DEW line construction contractors. This was just the beginning of an expansion program which has seen the company become the foremost Arctic air carrier in the world. In 1958 the company began regular operations in the High Arctic Islands in support of the Geological Survey of Canada using Piper Super Cubs on tundra tires which were especially engineered by First Air personnel. During 1958-1968 charter operations in the Arctic Islands continued to grow and expand. Larger aircraft such as Beavers and single-engined Otters were used for this unique requirement. Scientific and government agencies engaged in exploration, survey and mapping were the first major customers to use this service. In 1968 the company obtained the contract to supply the airborne support for the federal government's Polar Continental Shelf Project. This contract required extensive air support throughout the Canadian Arctic and Greenland as well as off-shore ice operations in the Beaufort Sea from bases at Point Barrow, Alaska and Tuktoyaktuk, NT. The company, to this day, still provides air support to the Polar Continental Shelf Project. In 1971 Bradley bought its first deHavilland Twin Otter. Also in 1971 the company opened the world's most northerly based commercial air service at Eureka on Ellesmere Island (600 nautical miles from the North Pole). In 1972 two DC-3s were purchased to meet the ever-increasing demands of mineral, oil and scientific exploration in the Arctic Islands. A major base at Resolute Bay, NU was opened in 1973 and this has become the main staging point for the extensive charter operations now carried on in the High Arctic. In December 1975, First Air opened another base at Iqaluit, NU, which is located on south Baffin Island. In June 1978, an additional base was opened at Hall Beach, NU. It is now expected that, between the months of March and October, which is the peak operating period in the Arctic, approximately two hundred people and seventeen aircraft will be working each year for First Air north of the 60th parallel of latitude. The Canadian Arctic Islands are not the only areas in which polar operations are conducted. In 1974 First Air was selected to provide the airborne support for the Ross Ice Shelf Project in Antarctica. This contract was administered by the United States Navy and involved the use of a company Twin Otter which was especially equipped for remote operations in the vicinity of the South Pole. This was the first commercial air operation on the Antarctic continent. The company continues to this day to provide seasonal air support in Antarctica to a variety of international clients. The United States Air Force selected First Air to perform the daily logistical support of two Dye sites at 8,000 feet above sea level on top of the Greenland Ice Cap. A Twin Otter was used for this service and the base of operation was at Kangerlussuaq (Sondrestromfjord) on the west coast of Greenland. After performing this turnkey service for two years, the operation was turned over to Greenlandair. Expanding from the polar regions into warmer climes, in late 1994 the company entered into a long term lease with a commercial airline in the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide a Twin Otter to operate their scheduled service route network throughout the Caribbean. In late 1987 and until its wind-up in late 1994, First Air took over the contract for all lateral support of the DEW line which involved resupplying stations from the Alaska border to Greenland. This contract utilized two Hawker Siddeley 748 aircraft and two Twin Otters and additionally utilized First Air's extensive scheduled services network for the movement of passengers and cargo. In early 1986 the company purchased a Boeing 727-100C aircraft for use in its charter and scheduled operations. This aircraft is a convertible model capable of carrying a variety of combinations of passengers and cargo and has an all-cargo payload of 38,000 pounds with a range of 2,500 miles at a cruising speed of 550 miles per hour. The Boeing 727 is used for cargo and passenger charters throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. In May 1993, First Air purchased its first B727-200 all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying twelve pallets with a 55,000 pound payload. Present day operation sees the company now operating a total of six Boeing 727 aircraft including three B727-100s and three B727-200s. First Air has frequently flown various Prime Ministers of Canada, and several members of the British Royal Family on Arctic visits. First Air also provides advanced pilot training and type endorsements on various aircraft types along with basic and recurrent maintenance and aircrew ground schools. From 1986-2004, the company operated a specially equipped Dash 7-150 aircraft for the Atmospheric Environment Service of the federal Department of Environment for ice patrol purposes in the Arctic and the Atlantic seaboard. First Air provided aircrew and maintenance services for this contract. Scheduled Services Since 1973, Bradley Air Services (operating under the trademark name of First Air) has continually expanded its scheduled services from its initial single route which was operated between Ottawa and North Bay with an eight-passenger aircraft. The present day route structure serves 28 communities in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories covering an amazing 15,500 route miles through a fleet of 20 aircraft of various sizes that are capable of carrying various cargo/passenger configurations. First Air expects to carry approximately 200,000 passengers and over 20 million kilograms of freight and mail yearly on its scheduled services. The company currently employs over 1000 people in providing these services. First Air's schedules and fares are accessible by travel agencies worldwide by calling (in Canada) 1-800-267-1247 or TTY 1-877-873-3718. You can also reach us by fax at (613) 254-6303 or by e-mail at reservat@firstair.ca. Late in 1995 First Air bought 100% of Ptarmigan Airways Ltd., a regional carrier based in Yellowknife, NT. Ptarmigan Airways had previously served the Western portion of the Northwest Territories for over thirty years and operated a variety of aircraft ranging from the Cessna 185 to the Grumman Gulfstream 1. Ptarmigan Airways brought to First Air's route structure an ability to provide scheduled service to Hay River and Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories as well to Whitehorse, in the Yukon. First Air operated Twin Otter aircraft specializing in the support of mining and exploration camps all across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Twin Otter was utilized on floats, skis, wheel-skis and tundra tires. The "offstrip" capability of the Twin Otter allowed air access to even the most remote and isolated locations on a year round basis. In June 1997, First Air continued the expansion of its fleet through the purchase of 100% of NWT Air. At the time of its acquisition by First Air, NWT Air employed 180 people and had been serving the North for approximately 35 years. The purchase of NWT Air added two B737s and one Hercules aircraft to the First Air fleet and enabled First Air to provide scheduled services to Rankin Inlet and other northern points from facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Edmonton Alberta. Today First Air offers scheduled service to 29 destinations in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Alberta, Yukon, Quebec and Ontario operating a fleet of 20 aircraft. The Inuit-owned airline has over 1000 employees, of which more than 450 work and live in the North.
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