FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 20, 2019 – Canadian North and First Air are pleased to confirm that our respective ownership groups, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) and Makivik Corporation, have received regulatory approval to combine our people and resources into a strong, unified new pan-Arctic airline that will provide safe and sustainable air service to Northern customers and charter clients under the name ‘Canadian North’.

Makivik and IRC have released a separate announcement (shown here) that reaffirms their commitment to ensuring that the merged airline continues to meet the needs and expectations of Northerners throughout the integration and beyond. They will now prepare to complete the necessary transaction that will formalize this merger and enable us to begin the multi-phase integration of our operations.

Detailed information about the upcoming start of the integration process will be provided when the merger transaction is completed within the coming weeks. In the meantime, Canadian North and First Air will continue to operate as two separate entities, providing safe, friendly and reliable air service to our respective customers.

Canadian North and First Air commend everyone who contributed to this approval process, for recognizing the many benefits that this merger will provide to the residents of Northern Canada who depend on the availability of safe and sustainable year-round passenger and cargo service for all aspects of their lives. By combining our people and resources into a strong, unified airline, we will be able to operate far more efficiently and the improved sustainability we achieve will create new paths for us to invest in our long-term growth and renewal, for the benefit of everyone we serve.

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Dan Valin
Manager, Marketing and Communications
First Air
Tel: 613.254.6294
dvalin@firstair.ca

Kelly Lewis
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Canadian North
Tel: 403.648.6101
klewis@canadiannorth.com