Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 23/01) - Inuvialuit-owned airline Canadian North flew politicians and business executives to Calgary on a new route that will take advantage of the Arctic oil boom.

The route, a direct flight between Calgary and Yellowknife and includes a regular trip to Inuvik three times a week, is the first for Canadian North that uses its own personnel and equipment.

"That is the first that we've operated with our own air operator certificate," said Canadian's vice-president and general manager Michael King.

"Up until this time we've contracted services," he said.

The airline received the new certification on July 6 and flew one of its two F28s on the first trip of the new route July 8. Its three 737s are not covered under the new certification.

"Through time we will migrate that over," said King, who added the company hopes to have the last of its fleet recertified within a year. "You want your own personnel dealing with your customers," he said.

The 737s are operated under an air carrier licence that allows Canadian to contract the services of Air Canada.

"I feel strongly about the route. It's been a long time coming," said NorTerra's president Carmen Loberg.

Canadian North was sold to NorTerra, a jointly owned Inuvialuit Development Corporation, in 1998.

"Inuvik flights are doing well," he said. "There was interest from the public right away."

The 728 Inuvik, Yellowknife, Calgary route includes the only business class service out of Yellowknife. Loberg said the upgraded service will take advantage of oil and gas-related travellers who are used to that level of service in the south. He noted that aircraft have been booked at about 50 to 60 per cent capacity.

The 36 passengers on Wednesday's inaugural flight included oil and gas company executives, media, Yellowknife and Northwest Territories government officials, travel agents and business people.

Canadian North will fly Inuvik, Yellowknife and Calgary direct every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Yellowknife to Calgary flights will run six days a week, Sunday through Friday.