by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 04/98) - Canadian Airlines had attempted to sell Canadian North to First Air, First Air's president said.

In fact, First Air president and chief executive officer Bob Davis, said Canadian Airlines attempted such a move on several occasions.

The most recent attempt was a few years back, he said.

Last week, Canadian Airlines announced plans to sell Canadian North to NorTerra Inc.

NorTerra is owned and managed by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and Nunasi Corporation. IDC represents the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic. Nunasi is a Nunavut-wide economic development corporation.

Canadian North competes with NWT Air, the carrier bought last year from Air Canada by Makavik-owned First Air. NWT Air connects Yellowknife with Edmonton, Inuvik, Cambridge Bay, Rankin and Iqaluit.

On the proposed NorTerra deal, Davis said he expects "little change in the marketplace."

Davis also said shareholder Makavik -- Makavik represents the Inuit of Northern Quebec, finds it unfortunate that aboriginal money will be competing with aboriginal money.