Editing First Air

{{Short description|Defunct airline of Canada (1946–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline        = First Air
| logo           = Logo First Air (Canada) 2017-2019.png
| logo_size      =
| image          = C-FTIQ First Air ATR42-500 at Cambridge Bay Airport.jpg
| caption        = An [[ATR 42]] at [[Cambridge Bay Airport]]
| fleet_size     = 31<ref name="TCFleet"/>
| destinations   = 35<ref name="dest"/>
| IATA           = 7F
| ICAO           = FAB<ref name="ATD">{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonfir.ca/pdfdownloads/Air_Traffic_designators.pdf|title=Transport Canada – Air Traffic Designators – TP 143|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105526/http://edmontonfir.ca/pdfdownloads/Air_Traffic_designators.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| callsign       = FIRST AIR
| founded        = {{start date|1946||}}
| ceased         = {{end date|2019|11|01}} (acquired [[Canadian North]] and adopted that name)
|aoc = {{plainlist|
* Canada: 107<ref>{{TCAOC|2019-08-30|1-07|First+Air}}</ref>
* {{nowrap|United States: KBJF476F<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=KBJF&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES+LTD|title=Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref>}}
}}
| headquarters   = 20 Cope Drive, [[Kanata, Ontario]]<ref name="head"/>
| key_people     =  {{plainlist|
* Chris Avery ([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
* Alexandra Pontbriand (VP Finance)
* Rashwan Domloge (VP Maintenance)
* Aaron Speer (VP Flight Operations)
* Andrew Pope (VP Commercial)<ref name="officer"/> 
}}
| hubs           = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Iqaluit Airport|Iqaluit]]
  | [[Rankin Inlet Airport|Rankin Inlet]]
  | [[Yellowknife Airport|Yellowknife]]}}
| focus_cities   =
| frequent_flyer = [[Aeroplan]]
| alliance       =
| website        = 
}}

[[File:First Air headquarters.jpg|thumbnail|First Air's headquarters in Kanata, Ontario]]

'''Bradley Air Services Limited''', operated as '''First Air''', was an airline headquartered in [[Kanata, Ontario|Kanata]], a suburb of [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada.<ref name="head">"[http://www.firstair.ca/contact/ First Air Head Office]." First Air. Retrieved on 13 January 2012. "20 Cope Drive Kanata, Ontario Canada, K2M 2V8"</ref> It operated services to 34 communities in [[Nunavut]], [[Nunavik]], and the [[Northwest Territories]].<ref name="dest"/> First Air has assisted in various humanitarian missions such as the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], airlifting relief supplies and equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/northern-airline-sends-planes-to-haiti-1.955403 |title=Northern airline sends planes to Haiti |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref> Its main base, which included a large hangar, cargo and maintenance facility, was located at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]], with hubs at [[Iqaluit Airport]], and [[Yellowknife Airport]].<ref>{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 82 | date= 3 April 2007}}</ref> On November 1, 2019, the airline consolidated operations with [[Canadian North]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canadiannorth.com/about/our-history/ |title=Our history |publisher=canadiannorth.com |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref>

== 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>

== Destinations ==
[[File:First Air B737-200.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Boeing 737-200]] at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]]]
[[File:First Air's AT42 GSRR.JPG|thumb|[[ATR 42]] at Cambridge Bay Airport, older livery]]
[[File:20100620-C-GKLY-Boeing-767-223-First-Air.jpg|thumb|First Air Boeing 767 at [[Val-d'Or Airport]], Quebec]]
[[File:First Air C130 GHPW.jpg|thumb|First Air [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules#Variants|L-382G]]]]
[[File:First Air - Summit Air Avro RJ85 at Yellowknife Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Summit Air]] [[Avro RJ85]] operating for First Air]]
[[File:First Air ATR-42 cabin (Quintin Soloviev).jpg|thumb|First Air ATR-42 cabin]]
First Air operates scheduled services to these domestic destinations in Canada:<ref name="dest">{{cite web|url=https://firstair.ca/book/routemap/|title=Route Map – First Air – 1 800 267 1247|website=firstair.ca|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603005412/https://firstair.ca/book/routemap/|archive-date=3 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!City
!Province
!IATA
!ICAO
!Airport
!Notes
|-
|[[Arctic Bay]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YAB
|CYAB
|[[Arctic Bay Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Arviat]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YEK
|CYEK
|[[Arviat Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Baker Lake, Nunavut|Baker Lake]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YBK
|CYBK
|[[Baker Lake Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Cambridge Bay]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YCB
|CYCB
|[[Cambridge Bay Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Kinngait|Cape Dorset]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YTE
|CYTE
|[[Kinngait Airport|Cape Dorset Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut|Chesterfield Inlet]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YCS
|CYCS
|[[Chesterfield Inlet Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Churchill, Manitoba|Churchill]]
|[[Manitoba]]
|YYQ
|CYYQ
|[[Churchill Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Clyde River, Nunavut|Clyde River]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YCY
|CYCY
|[[Clyde River Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Coral Harbour]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YZS
|CYZS
|[[Coral Harbour Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Edmonton]]
|[[Alberta]]
|YEG
|CYEG
|[[Edmonton International Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Fort Simpson]]
|[[Northwest Territories]]
|YFS
|CYFS
|[[Fort Simpson Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Gjoa Haven]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YHK
|CYHK
|[[Gjoa Haven Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Sanirajak|Hall Beach]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YUX
|CYUX
|[[Sanirajak Airport|Hall Beach Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Hay River, Northwest Territories|Hay River]]
|[[Northwest Territories]]
|YHY
|CYHY
|[[Hay River/Merlyn Carter Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Igloolik]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YGT
|CYGT
|[[Igloolik Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Inuvik]]
|[[Northwest Territories]]
|YEV
|CYEV
|[[Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Iqaluit]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YFB
|CYFB
|[[Iqaluit Airport]]
|Hub
|-
|[[Kimmirut]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YLC
|CYLC
|[[Kimmirut Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Kugaaruk]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YBB
|CYBB
|[[Kugaaruk Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Kugluktuk]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YCO
|CYCO
|[[Kugluktuk Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Kuujjuaq]]
|[[Quebec]]
|YVP
|CYVP
|[[Kuujjuaq Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Montreal|Montréal]]
|[[Quebec]]
|YUL
|CYUL
|[[Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Naujaat]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YUT
|CYUT
|[[Naujaat Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Ottawa]]
|[[Ontario]]
|YOW
|CYOW
|[[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]
|Cargo Hub/ Maintenance Base
|-
|[[Pangnirtung]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YXP
|CYXP
|[[Pangnirtung Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Pond Inlet]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YIO
|CYIO
|[[Pond Inlet Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Qikiqtarjuaq]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YVM
|CYVM
|[[Qikiqtarjuaq Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Rankin Inlet]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YRT
|CYRT
|[[Rankin Inlet Airport]]
|Hub
|-
|[[Resolute, Nunavut|Resolute]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YRB
|CYRB
|[[Resolute Bay Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Taloyoak]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YYH
|CYYH
|[[Taloyoak Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Ulukhaktok]]
|[[Northwest Territories]]
|YHI
|CYHI
|[[Ulukhaktok/Holman Airport]]
|
|-
|[[Whale Cove, Nunavut|Whale Cove]]
|[[Nunavut]]
|YXN
|CYXN
|[[Whale Cove Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Whitehorse, Yukon|Whitehorse]]
|[[Yukon]]
|YXY
|CYXY
|[[Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport]]
|Codeshare with Air North
|-
|[[Winnipeg]]
|[[Manitoba]]
|YWG
|CYWG
|[[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport]]
|Codeshare with Calm Air
|-
|[[Yellowknife]]
|[[Northwest Territories]]
|YZF
|CYZF
|[[Yellowknife Airport]]
|Hub
|}
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 727-100]] [[Combi aircraft|Combi]] jetliners as well.<ref>[http://www.departedflights.com Departedflights.com], 15 February 1985; 15 December 1989; 1 October 1991 editions, Official Airline Guide (OAG), Boston-Ottawa schedules</ref> This was the only scheduled passenger service ever operated to the U.S. by First Air.

===Codeshare agreements===
First Air had [[codeshare agreement]]s with the following airlines:

* [[Air Greenland]]<ref>{{cite web|author=JL |url=http://airlineroute.net/2012/05/04/7fgl-codeshare/ |title=First Air and Air Greenland Begin Codeshare |publisher=Airlineroute.net |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
* [[Air North]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674first_air_air_north_strike_codeshare_deal_from_ottawa_yellowknife_and/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2016-05-11: NEWS: First Air, Air North strike codeshare deal for Ottawa, Yellowknife, Whitehorse|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca|date=11 May 2016|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Calm Air]]<ref name="dest"/>
* [[Canadian North]] (ended 16 May 2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiannorth.com/info/codeshare|title=Codeshare Agreement|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121044824/http://www.canadiannorth.com/info/codeshare|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674canadian_north_first_air_launch_codeshare_in_nunavut/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2015-07-28: NEWS: Canadian North, First Air carry out codeshare pact in Nunavut this week|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca|date=28 July 2015|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674codeshare_kaput_first_air_ends_flight_sharing_deal_with_canadian_north/|title=NunatsiaqOnline 2016-11-18: NEWS: Codeshare kaput: First Air ends flight sharing deal with Canadian North|website=www.nunatsiaqonline.ca| date=18 November 2016 |access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

==Fleet==
As of January 2022, Bradley Air Services had 31 aircraft registered with [[Transport Canada]]. All aircraft are operated as [[Canadian North#Current fleet|Canadian North]]<ref name="TCFleet">{{TCregister|BRADLEY+AIR+SERVICES|Bradley Air Services (First Air)|2022-01-10}}</ref>

===Retired fleet===
First Air previously operated the following aircraft types:<ref>[http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=||&cn=||&mn=||&sn=||&cnn=|BRADLEY%20AIR%20SERVICES|&tn=||&ln=||&fn=||&rfr2=RchHs.aspx&print=y Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result]</ref>

* [[Boeing 727#727-100|Boeing 727-100]] ([[combi aircraft|combi]])
* [[Boeing 727#727-200|Boeing 727-200]] (combi and [[cargo aircraft|freighter]])
* [[Boeing 737#737-200|Boeing 737-200]] (combi and [[cargo aircraft|freighter]])
* [[Boeing 767#767-200|Boeing 767-200]] (freighter)
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] ([[STOL]] capable aircraft)
* [[Douglas DC-3]]
* [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] (combi) 
* [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules]] (freighter)
* [[ATR 72#ATR 72-200|ATR 72-202]] (combi)

==Accidents and incidents==

Five of ten incidents had fatalities.

*28 January 1974, a [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47B]] CF-TVK, a [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|de Havilland Canada DHC-6]] CF-DIJ, and [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3]] CF-OHD of Bradley Air Services were destroyed in a hangar fire at [[Carp Airport]], [[Ottawa]].<ref name=ASN280174>{{ASN accident|19740128-1|title=CF-OHD|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=ASN280128>{{ASN accident|19740128-0|title=CF-TVK|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=TBD>{{cite web|url=http://flythebush.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html |title=Otter of the Week |publisher=Fly the Bush |access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19780823>{{ASN accident|19780823-0 |title=C-FQDG|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> One of two crew died and all four passengers survived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780823-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-FQDG Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19790829>{{ASN accident|19790829-0 |title=C-GROW |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Two crew and seven  passengers perished in crash.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790829-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-GROW Frobisher Bay Airport, NU (YFB)}}</ref>
*15 March 1981, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-FDHT of Bradley Air Services sunk through polar ice near [[Nord, Greenland]].<ref name=ASN19810315>{{ASN accident|19810315-0 |title=C-FDHT |accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*15 September 1988, a [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] C-GFFA of Bradley Air Services was destroyed in a crash near [[Clarence-Rockland|Hammond]], Ontario as it was approaching into Ottawa International Airport.<ref name=ASN19880915>{{ASN accident|19880915-1 |title=C-GFFA|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew on board perished.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19880915-1 | title=ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-FAA SRS. 2B C-GFFA Cheney, ON }}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19890112>{{ASN accident|19890112-0 |title=C-GDOV|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
*12 August 1996, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 C-GNDN of First Air was destroyed near [[Markham Bay (Nunavut)|Markham Bay]], Northwest Territories.<ref name=ASN19960812>{{ASN accident|19960812-2 |title=C-GNDN|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Both crew members perished.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bst-tsb.gc.ca/ENG/rapports-reports/aviation/1996/a96q0126/a96q0126.html?pedisable=true|title=Aviation Investigation Report A96Q0126 - Transportation Safety Board of Canada|date=30 April 1998}}</ref>
*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.<ref name=ASN19981203>{{ASN accident|19981203-0 |title=C-FBNW|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> Crew of four and three passengers survived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19981203-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-335 SRS. 2A SCD C-FBNW Iqaluit Airport, NU (YFB)}}</ref>
*22 May 2001, a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-210C]] C-GNWI of First Air was damaged beyond repair after landing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.<ref name=ASN20010522>{{ASN accident|20010522-1 |title=C-GNWI|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref> All 98 passenger and 6 crew survived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20010522-1|title = ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-210C C-GNWI Yellowknife Airport, NT (YZF)}}</ref>
*20 August 2011, [[First Air Flight 6560|Flight 6560]], a First Air [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-210C]] (C-GNWN)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nycaviation.com/2011/08/first-air-737-crashes-in-northern-canada-killing-12/|title=First Air 737 Crashes in Northern Canada, Killing 12 - NYCAviation|date=20 August 2011|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> flying a charter flight crashed en route from Yellowknife on final approach to [[Resolute, Nunavut|Resolute]], killing 12 and injuring 3 others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/plane-crash-near-resolute-bay-kills-12-1.1021035|title=Plane crash near Resolute Bay kills 12|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Above&Beyond (magazine)|Above&Beyond]]
* [[List of defunct airlines of Canada]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.firstair.ca/ First Air official website] {{in lang|en|fr|iu}}  (redirects to Canadian North)
*[http://www.arcticjournal.ca/ Above&Beyond inflight magazine]

{{Portal bar|Ontario|<!--Ottawa portal also covers QC-->Companies|Aviation}}

{{Defunct airlines of Canada}}
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[[Category:Defunct airlines of Canada]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Ontario]]
[[Category:Air Transport Association of Canada]]
[[Category:Companies based in Ottawa]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of the Northwest Territories]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Nunavut]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1946]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Regional airlines of Yukon]]
[[Category:Inuit transport]]
[[Category:Cargo airlines of Canada]]