home > about us > history


 
 
 
 
 
 


ABOUT US: HISTORY

The Story of Canadian North

Canadian North and its founding companies (CAI, PWA, Transair, Nordair) have served the North for over 75 years. This airline, 100% owned by Aboriginals, is a striving healthy company that provides superior service to all northerners including the over 30,000 shareholders (Inuvialuit and Inuit of Nunavut) that own it.

Historical Timeline

1998
Sept. 1998 Previously a division of Canadian Airlines International, Canadian North was sold in 1998 to NorTerra Inc.
1999
April 6, 1999 Launched new service between Iqaluit and Ottawa
2001
July 9, 2001 Calgary-Yellowknife-Inuvik service commences
Oct. 4, 2001 737 in-flight training begins and first Inuit and Inuvialuit Beneficiaries join in-flight team
2002
March 1, 2002 Edmonton counter staff transitions from Air Canada to Canadian North
April 9, 2002 E-ticketing capability is initiated on Sabre for internal sales
April 2002 Canadian North moves to its own passenger revenue accounting system
May 1, 2002 Cargo accounting transfers from Air Canada to Canadian North
May 29, 2002 E-ticketing capability in Sabre is available for travel agencies
June 1, 2002 Fifth in-flight training course with seven additional Inuit and Inuvialuit Beneficiaries
June 13, 2002 New lower pricing strategy launched
Aug. 2002 Baffin Region code share with Kenn Borek Air commences and code share with North Wright commences
Sept. 4, 2002 Launch of new brand – Aurora, bear and midnight sun
Dec. 21, 2002 Web booking capability introduced
2003
Jan. 13, 2003 Canadian North Call Centre fully operational in Calgary
Jan. 15, 2003 Sixth in-flight training course with three Inuit and Inuvialuit Beneficiaries and seven Japanese students sponsored by Bonjour Montreal
Feb. 21, 2003 Launch new livery on aircraft 584
March 28, 2003 Canadian North awarded an International Charter Licence
July 28, 2003 Canadian North Cargo claims handled by Canadian North
Nov. 13, 2003 First Alert Charter for DND and last flight being March 18, 2004. Routing: Ottawa-Trenton-Iqaluit-Resolute Bay-Alert-Resolute Bay-Iqaluit-Trenton-Ottawa. Total flying time is just over 16 hours.
Nov. 28, 2003 Flight Attendant Initial on-line training approved
Dec. 2003 Canadian North started to train the 737 Pilots to do stand alone GPS approaches
2004
Feb. 15, 2004 Aircraft 552 operating 444/445 became the first to be dispatched under our own Maintenance Control
May 17, 2004 Carmen Loberg introduced Tom Ruth as President, Canadian North
2005
Jan. 2005 Canadian North signs sponsorship with Food First NWT, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, educating and advocating for the nutritional health of school-age children in the NWT.
Jan. 10, 2005 Canadian North announces a portion of their sales will go towards the Tsunami Relief Effort and a local charity.
April 25, 2005 New upgraded website is launched to the public with enhanced booking capabilities and new look.
June 2005 Aurora Concierge, Canadian North’s exclusive loyalty program, is launched offering unique services and rewards to frequent flyers
2006
February 23, 2006 Canadian North hosts Canadian Idol’s Yellowknife audition, three of the contestants advanced to the Vancouver audition
May 1, 2006 Relocation of Edmonton Cargo office
June 2006 Canadian North launches F-100 aircraft, in addition to their six Combi 737 airplanes
June 6, 2006 As sponsors of The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Canadian North officially signs Memorandum of Understanding along with their parent company, NorTerra Inc. Following the ceremony, Canadian North hosted a reception with the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Phillip and Princess Sophie.
July 2006 Canadian North becomes first northern airline to offer web check-in
July 25, 2006 Relocation of Edmonton Airport Counter to south end of the terminal
November 17, 2006 27th Annual Canadian North Celebrity Auction raises money for the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities
December 2006 13th Annual Canadian North Santa Tour flying Santa to meet our children in our Northern destinations
2007
January 2007 Canadian North announces diamond sponsorship for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games
February 2007 Canadian North sponsors the emerging artists from the Calgary Opera to tour the North
February 2007 Leslie Nielsen comes to Tulita for a Unity Accord sponsored by Canadian North - and he stops in the Canadian North boardroom for a bite to eat
March 2007 Canadian North sponsors the Rock and Ice Ultra - Canadian North team finishes the enduring 80km outdoor extreme race very respectably
April 18, 2007 Canadian North launches a new brand identity with the tagline 'Seriously Northern' to reflect who the company truly is
May 2007 Canadian North is pleased to provide the Pivut program once again to its beneficiaries
April 2007 Canadian North bulkheads are transformed with Northern photos
April 11-15, 2007 Toonik Tyme in Iqaluit
April 14, 2007 Squash Hunger campaign is a huge success raising fund for Food First Foundation
March 2007 Canadian North flight attendants reveal new updated attire
Summer 2007 Arctic Youth Leadership Expeditions - an IDC project sponsored by Canadian North providing youth with opportunities for adventure, challenges, learning and growth out on the land
June 3, 2007 Canadian North adds four new destinations to the Kitikmeot Region - Kugaaruk, Kugluktuk, Gjoa Haven and Taloyaok
June 13-14, 2007 7th Annual Inuvik Petroleum Show
June 22-23, 2007 Canadian North Midnight Classic in Yellowknife
June 29, 2007 Northern Youth Abroad and Canadian North celebrate a 10 year relationship - cultivating student leadership and cross-cultural awareness with life changing experiences
July 9, 2007 Canadian North Gala, a seriously artistic expression celebrated Nunavut Day in Iqaluit with an amazing variety of traditional and modern cultural entertainment raising money for Toonik Tyme, Food First Foundation and the Anglican Church
July 13-15, 2007 The 27th Annual Folk on the Rocks presented by Canadian North once again brings a variety of music to the banks of Yellowknife
September 2007 PlayFare program is launched by Canadian North - part of our commitment to enhancing sports and wellness throughout the North
September 7-9, 2007 The Canadian North Serious Hockey Weekend makes history with the Edmonton Oilers 2007 Rookie Camp coming North
September 8, 2007 Champions for Children Dinner raises money for Facilities for Kids and KidSport with help from the Oilers
September 10, 2007 Carmen Loberg introduced Tracy Medve as President, Canadian North
September 18-20, 2007 The Next Big Thing - Prospects North is held in Yellowknife. Canadian North hosts the opening reception focusing on the Next Big Thing - our youth
September 30, 2007 CIBC Run for Our Lives takes place in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River, Norman Wells, Ft. Simpson and Ft. Smith - Canadian North is proud to be the diamond sponsor
December, 2007 2007 Canadian North sends Santa to the Kitikmeot for the first time. Children in Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk and Kugluktuk gathered to tell Santa their Christmas wishes and receive Canadian North goody bags
2008
March, 2008 Canadian North is a proud diamond sponsor of the 20th Anniversary of the Arctic Winter Games taking place in Yellowknife
April 1, 2008 2008 Canadian North launches seven new destinations in the Qikiqtani (Baffin) Region. Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, Igloolik, Hall Beach and Qikiqtarjuaq.
April, 2008 Canadian North partners with Baffinland to sponsor the evening Gala at the Inuvik Petroleum Show. Canadian North and Baffinland raised over $4000 for Food First - benefiting children in Nunavut with breakfast programs
April 11-16, 2008 2008 Canadian North once again presents Iqaluit's spring festival - Toonik Tyme.
April, 2008 Literacy for Life tours the North. Brian Trottier and author Sigmund Brouwer visit schools in Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik and Yellowknife spreading the literacy bug and getting students excited about reading. Canadian North is proud to support Schlumberger in this bi-annual event.
May, 2008 Canadian North holds community meetings in the Qikiqtani Region.
June 13-14, 2008 8th Annual Inuvik Petroleum Show - Canadian North hosts gala and raises money for Food First Foundation, NWT
June 20-21, 2008 Canadian North Midnight Classic in Yellowknife - celebrating the Yellowknife Golf Club's 60th Anniversary
July 13-15, 2008 The 28th Annual Folk on the Rocks presented by Canadian North once again brings a variety of music to the banks of Yellowknife
September 13, 2007 Canadian North is a major sponsor once again for the Champions for Children Dinner raising money for KidSport with visiting athletes Mike Bossy, Kevin Martin, Beckie Scott, Megan Metcalf and David Bissett.
September 10, 2007 Canadian North celebrates 10 years of Inuit and Inuvialuit ownership with airport celebrations across the North.
October 3, 2008 Canadian North once again sponsors the 'Taste of Canadian Living' with visiting celebrity chefs Elizabeth Baird and Pam Collacott. Seven local restaurants have come on-board to prepare signature appetizers to taste along with the cooking demonstration of 3 Canadian Living recipes.
October 5, 2008 CIBC Run for Our Lives takes place in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River, Norman Wells, Ft. Simpson and Ft. Smith - Canadian North is proud to be the diamond sponsor

 

Privacy PolicySite MapContact UsHelp      © Copyright Canadian North