The airline was founded at Ottawa International by Canadian aviation pioneer Russell (Russ) Bradley and started operations as Bradley Flying School in 1946, changing the name in 1950 to Bradley Air Services, concurrent with a move to Carp Airport, and is still registered under that name.[11] First Air started scheduled operations in 1973, between Ottawa and North Bay. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.
In 1995, First Air acquired Ptarmigan Airways, and in 1997 Northwest Territorial Airways (also known as NWT Air), both merged into First Air.[12] Ptarmigan Airways operated smaller turboprop aircraft types such as the Beechcraft King Air (BE-200 model), DHC-6 Twin Otter and Grumman Gulfstream I turboprops, and a single Cessna Citation II business jet aircraft. At the time of the merger NWT Air operated Boeing 737-200 jetliners and a single Lockheed L-100 Hercules cargo turboprop.
On 21 August 2008, First Air fired president Bob Davis and replaced him with Scott Bateman. Davis had been president since December 1997 and had several disagreements with First Air over a period of time.[15]
After the introduction of the operationally and logistically more economical Boeing 767-223SF in March 2010, First Air retired and removed its two Boeing 727-233 aircraft from its fleet. One was one of only two combi types in the world, and the last 727-200 in North America on scheduled passenger-freight services. The other 727-233F full freighter was also phased out. A Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprop (C-GFNW) was retired in March 2011. Replacing this aircraft type were two ATR 72 Combi turboprops as part of First Air's fleet replacement program. They were outfitted with a cargo handling system, and one was outfitted with a large cargo door. A first of its kind in North America, it was able to handle built unit Load Device positions. This in turn created a larger load capacity and flexibility reaching remote communities. One began service in the last quarter of 2011, and the second in the first quarter 2012.[needs update][citation needed]
In 2009 First Air added routes in the Kivallaq Region adding flights from Rankin Inlet to Arviat and Baker Lake. On 30 March 2010, it added Whale Cove, Repluse Bay, Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet to the Kivalliq Routes.[17]
In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.[18] The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's Qikiqtani Region using First Air's fleet.[19] Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.[20]
In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.[21] Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.[7]
In October 2012, Dolinki resigned his position as president and CEO of First Air. This announcement came shortly after Makivik Corporation stated that, after many rumours, its stake in First Air was not for sale. The position of President and CEO was filled on an interim basis by Chris Ferris, First Air's Vice President of Marketing and Sales.[22]
In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.[23]
On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of Canadian North, began negotiations to merge the two airlines.[24][25] According to a website set up the same day the new airline would be owned equally between the two companies and "a merger would create a stronger, more sustainable business, provide better service to customers and lead to new economic development opportunities across the North - "We believe the two companies would complement each other’s strengths."[26] In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,[27] but First Air would still codeshare some flights with Canadian North.
In early 2015 First Air announced strategic agreements with Cargojet Airways and Summit Air. The 767 lease was transferred to Cargojet at that time and First Air was also providing ATR-72 turboprop services for Cargojet.
On 21 April 2015, First Air's Hercules C-GUSI flew the final civilian L382 flight in Canada, bringing to an end over 45 years of commercial Lockheed Hercules service. L382 Hercules operations in Northern Canada were begun during the 1960s by Pacific Western Airlines.
Logo circa 2005, introduced in the 1990s used until 2017
In 2016, First Air/Bradley Air Services became the oldest airline in Canada still operating under its original name.
On 28 September 2018, Makivik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) signed a definitive agreement to merge Canadian North and First Air, awaiting government approval. The new airline would use the new First Air livery, but would operate under the name Canadian North.[29] On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.[30]
On 2 October 2018 First Air hired Chris Avery as the new CEO of First Air. He became the CEO of Canadian North after the merger was completed.[31]
On 1 November 2019, First Air and Canadian North completed the merger and combined schedules. Operations were under the Canadian North name using the First Air branding.[32] However, full integration was expected to take 12 to 18 months.[33]
According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), First Air operated scheduled passenger service from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s nonstop between Ottawa (YOW) and Boston (BOS) primarily with Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprops, but also with Boeing 727-100Combi jetliners as well.[34] This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.
23 August 1978, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FQDG of Bradley Air Services was destroyed on final approach to Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit), Northwest Territories.[44] One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.[45]
29 August 1979, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GROW of Bradley Air Services was destroyed when plane crash on approach and short of the runway at Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit), Northwest Territories.[46] Two crew and seven passengers perished in crash.[47]
15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near Nord, Greenland.[48]
15 September 1988, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-GFFA of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near Hammond, Ontario as it was approaching into Ottawa International Airport.[49] Both crew on board perished.[50]
12 January 1989, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-GDOV of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near Dayton, Ohio killing both crew members.[51]
12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near Markham Bay, Northwest Territories.[52] Both crew members perished.[53]
3 December 1998, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 C-FBNW of Bradley Air Services was damaged beyond repair while attempting take-off at Iqaluit, Northwest Territories.[54] Crew of four and three passengers survived.[55]
22 May 2001, a Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI of First Air was damaged beyond repair after landing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.[56] All 98 passenger and 6 crew survived.[57]
20 August 2011, Flight 6560, a First Air Boeing 737-210C (C-GNWN)[58] flying a charter flight crashed en route from Yellowknife on final approach to Resolute, killing 12 and injuring 3 others.[59]
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