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Santa Claus heads to Baffin Island Three days, 15 flight hours, 6,027 km and 5,000 pounds of presentsPeter Worden Northern News Services Published Monday, December 17, 2012
Christmas will come early in the Qikiqtaaluk region as Santa Claus is reportedly coming to town - to Baffin hamlets, to be precise - this week. "We fly into town and sometimes you can't even see in the windows because kids faces are fogging up the glass," said Naomi Monkman, charters manager at Kivalliq Air and one of Santa's little helpers for the airline's annual Santa flight. "Santa's such a big part of Christmas," she said. "It's our way of giving back." The Pilatus aircraft or "Santa Express," is faster than reindeer, said Monkman and works better than any sleigh because seats easily pop in and out for the crew of elf-helpers. In the rear cargo hold is a load of donated toys, clothing, candy canes and calendars. In all, Santa will fly 6,027 km, log 15 flight hours and deliver 2,268 kg of cargo all over the Eastern Arctic. "We transport Santa in style," said Monkman, joking that Santa is like a rock star on a tour. She and Santa's other little helpers with pointed ears and elf hats double as crowd control. "Santa gets mobbed," she said, explaining some kids have never seen Santa before. Parents and kids alike rush to see the big jolly jet-setter. Parents bring cameras for photos with Santa, and kids bring letters and pictures and ask Santa questions. "It's a long few days." The airline has been doing the Santa flight for nine years - seven in the Kivalliq region, last year and this year in the Baffin - and this is the second year in Baffin region. In lieu of visiting the Kivalliq, the airline makes donations to schools in region, which is often used to purchase sports equipment. Santa's arrival is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, Pond Inlet and Resolute; Dec. 18 in Grise Fiord, Arctic Bay, Iglulik, Hall Beach and Cape Dorset; and Dec. 19 in Kimmirut and Sanikiluaq.
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