Editing First Air (section)

== History ==
[[File:20101014-DSC 2288-First-Air-C-GKLY-762.jpg|thumb|A First Air [[Boeing 767]] at [[Val-d'Or Airport]]]]
The airline was founded at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/bradley-air-services-ltd |title=Bradley Air Services Ltd.|access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref> First Air started scheduled operations in 1973, between [[Ottawa]] and [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]]. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.

The airline opened southern gateways at [[Edmonton]], [[Winnipeg]], [[Montreal]] and Ottawa. Through [[Kuujjuaq]] in Nunavik and [[Yellowknife]] in the [[Northwest Territories]] (NWT), {{as of|2015|lc=on}} the airline provided services to 26 [[Inuit]] communities in Nunavut, Nunavik and the NWT.<ref name="dest"/> Service to [[Sanikiluaq]], Nunavut, was provided in partnership with [[Air Inuit]].

In 1995, First Air acquired '''Ptarmigan Airways''', and in 1997 '''Northwest Territorial Airways''' (also known as '''NWT Air'''), both merged into First Air.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/milestones/ |title=Milestones |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113543/http://www.firstair.ca/about/milestones/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.

First Air was wholly owned by the Inuit of [[Quebec]] through the [[Makivik Corporation]], which purchased the company in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.makivik.org/subsidiary-companies/wholly-owned/first-air/ |title=First Air |publisher=Makivik.org |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424010511/http://www.makivik.org/subsidiary-companies/wholly-owned/first-air/ |archive-date=24 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/ownership/ |title=Ownership |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113408/http://www.firstair.ca/about/ownership/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-fires-president-davis-1.773405 |title=First Air fires president Davis |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

On 5 June 2009, First Air received a [[wide-body aircraft]], a [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-223 SF]] (Super Freighter), which was under a three-year [[dry lease]] from Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), a subsidiary of [[Air Transport Services Group]] (ATSG).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abxair.com/atsg/pr2009-03-06.html#AIR |title=Transport Services Group to Lease 767 to First Air |publisher=Abxair.com |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305164229/http://www.abxair.com/atsg/pr2009-03-06.html#AIR |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 767 has since left the fleet.

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|Boeing 727-233]] aircraft from its fleet. One was one of only two [[Combi aircraft|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.{{update after|2012|04}}{{citation needed|date=April 2011}}

In 2009 First Air added routes in the [[Kivalliq Region|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-28 |title=First Air adds flights to four Kivalliq communities |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/270110_first_air_adds_flights_to_four_kivalliq_communities/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Nunatsiaq News |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2011, First Air and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) started a new airline named Qikiqtani First Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qfal.ca |title=Qikiqtani First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Qfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The new company provided services throughout Nunavut's [[Qikiqtaaluk Region|Qikiqtani Region]] using First Air's fleet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/2011/02/qikiqtaaluk-corporation-and-first-air-sign-new-airline-joint-venture-agreement/ |title=Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and First Air sign new airline joint venture agreement |publisher=Firstair.ca |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319221347/http://www.firstair.ca/2011/02/qikiqtaaluk-corporation-and-first-air-sign-new-airline-joint-venture-agreement/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Another airline, Sakku First Aviation, was started the same time in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation in Nunavut's Kivalliq Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfal.ca |title=Sakku First Aviation Ltd |publisher=Sfal.ca |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

In December 2011, Scott Bateman, President and CEO, abruptly resigned his position with First Air.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_airs_president_resigns_dec._14/ |title=First Air's president resigns 14 Dec. |publisher=Nunatsiaqonline.ca |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015000512/http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_airs_president_resigns_dec._14/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kris Dolinki became president and CEO after Bateman's departure.<ref name="officer">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstair.ca/about/officers/ |title=Officers |publisher=Firstair.ca |access-date=10 January 2013 |archive-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213113120/http://www.firstair.ca/about/officers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-not-for-sale-says-makivik-corp-1.1140778 |title=First Air not for sale, says Makivik Corp.|publisher=CBC |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

In March 2013, First Air/Makivik Corporation hired Brock Friesen as its new president and CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_gets_a_new_boss/ |title=First Air gets a new boss. – North |publisher=Nunatsiaq News |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=25 March 2013}}</ref>

On 11 April 2014, the Makivik Corporation and Norterra, owners of [[Canadian North]], began negotiations to merge the two airlines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-plan-merger-of-equals-1.2607324|title=Canadian North, First Air plan 'merger of equals'|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_and_canadian_north_talk_merger/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2014-04-11: NEWS: Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=12 April 2014 |access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newnorthernairline.com/|title=Nectar Sleep Mattress & Test Clear - Sleeping & Testing Coupons|website=newnorthernairline.com|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674makivik_norterra_pull_out_of_airline_merger/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2014-10-23: NEWS: Airlines announce First Air-Canadian North merger is dead|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=24 October 2014 |access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> 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]].

On 1 June 2015, First Air began their [[Codeshare agreement|codeshare]] flights with [[Calm Air]] ending their Kivalliq Regional Flights from [[Rankin Inlet]] to [[Arviat]], [[Baker Lake, Nunavut|Baker Lake]], [[Coral Harbour]], [[Naujaat|Repulse Bay]], [[Whale Cove, Nunavut|Whale Cove]], and [[Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut|Chesterfield Inlet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Air, Calm Air flight changes frustrate Kivalliq residents |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-calm-air-flight-changes-frustrate-kivalliq-residents-1.3113408 |date=15 June 2015|access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref>

[[File:First Air logo (historic).svg|thumb|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''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Group |first1=Inuvialuit Corporate |title=New milestone agreement reached to merge First Air and Canadian North to better serve Pan-Arctic communities |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/new-milestone-agreement-reached-to-merge-first-air-and-canadian-north-to-better-serve-pan-arctic-communities-694649901.html |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref> On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federal government approves Canadian North and First Air merger |date=2019-06-19 |website=[[CBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091545/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975 |archive-date=2023-07-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canadian-north-first-air-merger-approved-1.5181975}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-02 |title=First Air VP named head of new northern airline |url=https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674first_air_vp_named_head_of_new_northern_airline/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Nunatsiaq News |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>[https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ Our History]</ref> However, full integration was expected to take 12 to 18 months.<ref>[https://canadiannorth.com/integration/ Welcome aboard your NEW Canadian North]</ref>