Corporate Profile -- First Air

About First Air

Corporate Profile

Canadian aviation pioneer, Russell (Russ) Bradley, started his pilot training centre and flying school in Ottawa in 1946. From the outset, Russ proved an innovator. He and legendary pilot and partner, Weldy Phipps, revolutionized Arctic flying capability by developing the large balloon-like "tundra tires" in response to the Geological Survey of Canada contract awarded to Bradley Air Services in the late 1950s. No longer were their growing number of clients going to be as limited to where and when they could land in the High Arctic.

In a few short decades, Bradley Air Services Ltd. has evolved to become Canada's foremost Arctic and remote region air carrier, operating under the trademark name - FIRST AIR. Today, First Air, The Airline of the North, is owned by Makivik Corporation, the body responsible for administering the land claim settlement of the Inuit of northern Quebec. Through a series of prudent acquisitions in recent years (Ptarmigan Airways and NWT Air), First Air has expanded its fleet, its route system, and already extensive range of air carrier capability.

We are proud to say that throughout First Air's evolution and growth, Russ's legacy lives on. The First Air name is recognized around the world, more synonymous today than ever, with innovation and operational expertise for remote regions and unusual or especially taxing environments. Our service-based attitude and extensive northern experience are two of the main reasons why First Air planes and crews are a natural 'first choice', when it comes to choosing an airline in Canada's Arctic.

First Air's Charter Services

For over 40 years, government agencies, the military, scientists, researchers, the resource sector and also adventure seeking tourists from around the world, have all looked to First Air over the years to make the northern reaches of Canada more accessible. Our reputation for reliability and unsurpassed expertise is the progressive culmination of more than 55 years of experience gained primarily in Arctic and High Arctic operations.

Virtually every type of northern air operation imaginable, some conducted for the very first time anywhere, are the prime fortes of First Air. In the past, First Air has conducted aerial survey work in the High Arctic for the Geological Survey of Canada to aid the mapping of Canada. Our skilled crews still monitor ice conditions in the Arctic and along the Atlantic seaboard for the Atmospheric Environment Service of Canada's Department of Environment, in a specially equipped Dash 7-150 aircraft.

On a day to day basis, the range of what we do can vary greatly. First Air provides invaluable set-up and re-supply operations for remote mining, and research camps bringing necessary staff, food, fuel equipment and expertise to their sites.

First Air's charter bases in Resolute Bay, Iqaluit, and Yellowknife are major staging points for a sphere of charter operations that encompass a unique and demanding array of tasks. Over 450 of our employees live and work in the North.

There and beyond, our versatile fleet and skilled personnel provide valuable transportation solutions to our clients. From the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, to the highest reaches of the Arctic, contracted First Air planes and crews are getting the job done, all the way down to Antarctica, throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean.

First Air's Scheduled Service

Not so very long ago, northerners were quite limited in travel options and access to the goods and services of the south. Travel out of the community and re-supply were concepts measured in terms of days, sometimes weeks. First Air's continually expanding inter-community service and daily flights to major southern destinations has changed all that. No longer are the people of the North as remote and isolated as they once were. Their travel and lifestyle demands can now include everything the modern world has to offer.

First Air, The Airline of the North, serves the cargo and travel needs of more northern communities than any other air carrier in Canada. Our scheduled service carries approximately 225,000 passengers and over 22 Million kilograms of freight and mail over its vast and comprehensive route system. Today, taking a shopping trip south or flying abroad for vacation takes only a matter of hours, seven days of the week. Important equipment, parts or goods, now often arrive the same day they are ordered.

From the Yukon in the West to Nunavut in the East, our extensive route system covers an amazing 15,500 route miles, connecting 26 northern communities with the major centres of Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton to the South.

First Air's partnership with Air Canada and participation in AEROPLAN, Air Canada's frequent flyer program, and our participation in Sabre, a worldwide reservations system, gives our customers access to First Air from anywhere around the globe. Travellers to and from the North now literally have a whole new world of travel options at their fingertips.

As Canada's North continues to grow, First Air's scheduled passenger and freight handling systems will keep step with the changing needs of those we serve. That is the First Air commitment!

System-wide support

First Air holds the philosophy that the development and maintenance of a comprehensive, system-wide infrastructure is of prime importance to the value and level of service we are able to provide to our customers. Our facility at the Ottawa International Airport consists of a 40,000 square foot, multi-functional aircraft hangar and warehouse for:

Cargo Handling & Warehousing

Our cargo division is able to warehouse all types of freight including perishables and frozen food products

Aircraft Maintenance

The Ottawa hangar is capable of accommodating all aircraft types except for Boeing 747s

First Air also maintains warehousing facilities in Montreal in addition to Ottawa to encourage the seamless movement of goods to and from the North. Our bases in Edmonton, Winnipeg and sub-bases in Iqaluit, Resolute Bay and Yellowknife, complete First Air's system-wide chain of support from east to west.

Maintenance & Engineering

The Arctic's unforgiving weather and harsh terrain places heavy demands on equipment. First Air's self-sufficiency in aircraft maintenance is the logical extension of our experience operating aircraft in the North. We perform comprehensive aircraft maintenance, repair and engineering services for inhouse purposes, as well as for other airlines. The First Air engineering staff specializes in:

engine repairs
avionics - repairs, overhauls, testing & installation
instrument overhauls, repairs and testing major airframe overhauls, repairs and modifications.

First Air provided major modification and installation services and expertise for the United Nations, Canterra Exploration, Sander Geophysics, Bell Canada, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Air Inuit, Air St.-Pierre, Air Creebec and various airborne survey companies.

Pilot Training and Certification

First Air also provides advanced pilot training and type endorsements on various aircraft types along with basic and recurrent maintenance and aircrew ground schools for ourselves and a variety of other clients.

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 Corporate Profile Canadian aviation pioneer, Russell (Russ) Bradley, started his pilot training centre and flying school in Ottawa in 1946. From the outset, Russ proved an innovator. He and legendary pilot and partner, Weldy Phipps, revolutionized Arctic flying capability by developing the large balloon-like "tundra tires" in response to the Geological Survey of Canada contract awarded to Bradley Air Services in the late 1950s. No longer were their growing number of clients going to be as limited to where and when they could land in the High Arctic. In a few short decades, Bradley Air Services Ltd. has evolved to become Canada's foremost Arctic and remote region air carrier, operating under the trademark name - FIRST AIR. Today, First Air, The Airline of the North, is owned by Makivik Corporation, the body responsible for administering the land claim settlement of the Inuit of northern Quebec. Through a series of prudent acquisitions in recent years (Ptarmigan Airways and NWT Air), First Air has expanded its fleet, its route system, and already extensive range of air carrier capability. We are proud to say that throughout First Air's evolution and growth, Russ's legacy lives on. The First Air name is recognized around the world, more synonymous today than ever, with innovation and operational expertise for remote regions and unusual or especially taxing environments. Our service-based attitude and extensive northern experience are two of the main reasons why First Air planes and crews are a natural 'first choice', when it comes to choosing an airline in Canada's Arctic. First Air's Charter Services For over 40 years, government agencies, the military, scientists, researchers, the resource sector and also adventure seeking tourists from around the world, have all looked to First Air over the years to make the northern reaches of Canada more accessible. Our reputation for reliability and unsurpassed expertise is the progressive culmination of more than 55 years of experience gained primarily in Arctic and High Arctic operations. Virtually every type of northern air operation imaginable, some conducted for the very first time anywhere, are the prime fortes of First Air. In the past, First Air has conducted aerial survey work in the High Arctic for the Geological Survey of Canada to aid the mapping of Canada. Our skilled crews still monitor ice conditions in the Arctic and along the Atlantic seaboard for the Atmospheric Environment Service of Canada's Department of Environment, in a specially equipped Dash 7-150 aircraft. On a day to day basis, the range of what we do can vary greatly. First Air provides invaluable set-up and re-supply operations for remote mining, and research camps bringing necessary staff, food, fuel equipment and expertise to their sites. First Air's charter bases in Resolute Bay, Iqaluit, and Yellowknife are major staging points for a sphere of charter operations that encompass a unique and demanding array of tasks. Over 450 of our employees live and work in the North. There and beyond, our versatile fleet and skilled personnel provide valuable transportation solutions to our clients. From the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, to the highest reaches of the Arctic, contracted First Air planes and crews are getting the job done, all the way down to Antarctica, throughout Canada, the US, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. First Air's Scheduled Service Not so very long ago, northerners were quite limited in travel options and access to the goods and services of the south. Travel out of the community and re-supply were concepts measured in terms of days, sometimes weeks. First Air's continually expanding inter-community service and daily flights to major southern destinations has changed all that. No longer are the people of the North as remote and isolated as they once were. Their travel and lifestyle demands can now include everything the modern world has to offer. First Air, The Airline of the North, serves the cargo and travel needs of more northern communities than any other air carrier in Canada. Our scheduled service carries approximately 225,000 passengers and over 22 Million kilograms of freight and mail over its vast and comprehensive route system. Today, taking a shopping trip south or flying abroad for vacation takes only a matter of hours, seven days of the week. Important equipment, parts or goods, now often arrive the same day they are ordered. From the Yukon in the West to Nunavut in the East, our extensive route system covers an amazing 15,500 route miles, connecting 26 northern communities with the major centres of Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton to the South. First Air's partnership with Air Canada and participation in AEROPLAN, Air Canada's frequent flyer program, and our participation in Sabre, a worldwide reservations system, gives our customers access to First Air from anywhere around the globe. Travellers to and from the North now literally have a whole new world of travel options at their fingertips. As Canada's North continues to grow, First Air's scheduled passenger and freight handling systems will keep step with the changing needs of those we serve. That is the First Air commitment! System-wide support First Air holds the philosophy that the development and maintenance of a comprehensive, system-wide infrastructure is of prime importance to the value and level of service we are able to provide to our customers. Our facility at the Ottawa International Airport consists of a 40,000 square foot, multi-functional aircraft hangar and warehouse for: Cargo Handling & Warehousing Our cargo division is able to warehouse all types of freight including perishables and frozen food products Aircraft Maintenance The Ottawa hangar is capable of accommodating all aircraft types except for Boeing 747s First Air also maintains warehousing facilities in Montreal in addition to Ottawa to encourage the seamless movement of goods to and from the North. Our bases in Edmonton, Winnipeg and sub-bases in Iqaluit, Resolute Bay and Yellowknife, complete First Air's system-wide chain of support from east to west. Maintenance & Engineering The Arctic's unforgiving weather and harsh terrain places heavy demands on equipment. First Air's self-sufficiency in aircraft maintenance is the logical extension of our experience operating aircraft in the North. We perform comprehensive aircraft maintenance, repair and engineering services for inhouse purposes, as well as for other airlines. The First Air engineering staff specializes in: engine repairs avionics - repairs, overhauls, testing & installation instrument overhauls, repairs and testing major airframe overhauls, repairs and modifications. First Air provided major modification and installation services and expertise for the United Nations, Canterra Exploration, Sander Geophysics, Bell Canada, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Air Inuit, Air St.-Pierre, Air Creebec and various airborne survey companies. Pilot Training and Certification First Air also provides advanced pilot training and type endorsements on various aircraft types along with basic and recurrent maintenance and aircrew ground schools for ourselves and a variety of other clients.
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