Cargo Information

Special Commodity Items

First Air has worked hard for over fifty years to earn its reputation as a safe, reliable and innovative northern air carrier. As well, over the years we have also listened to our northern customers and discussed their special shipping needs. As a result, we have developed a number of special commodity rates for items that are important to people living and working in the North.

These special rates are available for such items as recreational vehicles, country food and aboriginal art. For further information on these special commodity rates or to enquire about First Air's special "space available" rates that are applicable to selected routes, please contact the First Air staff at our air cargo offices.

Items Notes
Aboriginal Art Aboriginal art can be sent at a 60% discount from the one kilo general cargo rate. This special rate includes hides, pelts or skins that are not dressed or tanned.
Cars and Trucks Special reduced rates are available for cars and trucks.
Recreational Vehicles There are also low rates for air cargo shipment of snowmobiles and ATVs to northern points. These special rates are based on the weight of the vehicle times 115 per cent.
Engines, Motors and Electrical or Mechanical Equipment There are special reduced rates for the shipment of engines, motors and electrical or mechanical equipment to southern locations. This is helpful in the repair of important machinery or parts such as transmissions.
Kayaks and Canoes There are special rates for canoes and kayaks that are based on dimensional weight.
Empty Cylinders There are special rates for the southbound shipment of empty propane, acetylene, chlorine, helium, nitrogen or oxygen cylinders.
Recycled Material Remember that there is an 80% discount from the one kilo general cargo rate to send recyclable materials to the south from Iqaluit and Kuujjuaq.
Empty Containers Retailers can ship kegs, cardboard boxes and plastic bread and milk receptacles to southbound locations. This saves money for retailers and helps reduce community waste.
Food Shipments There are special rates when food shipments are made from Montreal, Ottawa, Val-d'Or, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Yellowknife.
Country Food Inter-community and southbound shipments of fish, caribou, seal, whale, polar bear meat, etc. are shipped at a 60% discount from the one kilo general cargo rate.