Signed, sealed and delivered
New hangar, airline rates for Inuit unveiled in Rankin Inlet
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
RANKIN INLET
One of the highlights of the Kivalliq Inuit Association's (KIA) annual general meeting (AGM) was the grand opening of a new airline hangar and the signing of a historic fare agreement between Kivalliq Inuit and Calm Air.
Kivalliq Inuit Association president David Ningeongan signs-off on a new agreement with Calm Air profiding Kivalliq beneficiaries better fare and cargo rates in Rankin Inlet - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
A large crowd came out for the official cutting of the sealskin ribbon by the KIA's very first president, David Aglukark of Arviat.
Aglukark was also honoured personally during the AGM marking the KIA's 40th anniversary.
KIA president David Ningeongan acknowledged the role played by the First Nations Bank and its partner, the Atuqtuarvik Corp., in helping to finance the cost of constructing the hanger.
He said if not for the support of the two funding agencies, the project would never have been completed in Rankin Inlet.
"The KIA was there to meet the funding requirements and help finance some of the costs of putting up this facility," said Ningeongan.
"So, I acknowledge and thank the KIA board for allowing this to happen in Rankin Inlet, as well as the board and staff at Sakku Investments for allowing this facility to go ahead and be developed.
"This facility has helped us become the hub of the Kivalliq for Calm Air and that was our goal, to make things happen for our region.
"So again, I'd like to thank the Sakku board and its staff for all their hard work."
Ningeongan said the KIA expected to invest about $6 million into the hangar when the project first began.
He said that number grew substantially by project's end.
"At the end of the project's construction, it cost Inuit $16 million to put this facility up.
"It's a good investment for the region and also, for the people to see we're heading toward a better future by having these facilities developed.
"I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Nunavut Construction Corp. for taking the job and finishing the project on our behalf when the first contractor was not able to fulfil its duties."
Ningeongan said the signing of a new fare agreement between the KIA and Calm Air marks an important day for Kivalliq beneficiaries.
He said the deal will make it much easier for Inuit to travel and ship goods at a favourable rate.
"The agreement will see beneficiaries in the Kivalliq receive up to 74 per cent off Calm Air's full-fare rate anywhere the airline flies within the Kivalliq and Manitoba.
"As well, beneficiaries will receive free baggage allowance of up to 40 pounds each, with a fourth piece of up to 20 pounds allowed as a carry-on bag.
"We have also negotiated a special cargo rate for beneficiaries.
"I was very happy to sign-off on this agreement on behalf of Kivalliq beneficiaries."
Calm Air president Gary Bell said the hangar is an important piece of infrastructure that allowed the airline to move its hub from Manitoba to the Kivalliq.
He said it's a very important move, and one Calm Air always wanted to undertake.
"Calm Air always wanted the hub of this region to be here in the Kivalliq," said Bell.
"This hangar was a key piece in allowing us to do that.
"It allows us to maintain our aircraft at this base overnight, so we can do proper maintenance on the aircraft inside, where it's warm, and where we have parts and maintenance people.
"With the aircraft based in the hangar here overnight, Rankin has become a major hub for Calm Air in its entire network."
Bell said because the new infrastructure allows Rankin Inlet to become a major hub for the airline, Calm Air and its partner, M&T Enterprises, have created more than 40 new jobs for the Kivalliq alone.
He said the process began several years ago, when Calm Air leadership was very jealous of the relationship enjoyed by one their competitors in the Kivalliq.
"Calm Air did not have a relationship with Sakku Investments or the KIA so, in our opinion, because of that, our service and culture with our customers suffered.
"We developed that relationship more than a year ago and during the grand opening, KIA president David Ningeongan and I signed a historical document improving our service.
"It's very important for us to not only have this infrastructure relationship but to also be able to expand and provide better service and culture to our customers."
