Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 12/01) - A young upstart is returning home to its roots under the wings of an old friend.

NWI Jet, a division of Northwest International Airways Ltd., is setting up shop in Yellowknife and offering executive jet charter service.

"We've noticed a substantial reduction in our market in Vancouver," said Robert Engle, president and chief executive officer of the charter airline. "British Columbia has not been a positive business climate in recent years."

So, after operating a jet service for eight years in the west, Engle is returning to Yellowknife's booming economy where he has a long history in the aviation business. Engle arrived in the North with a Cessna 180 aircraft in 1955.

He was influential in bringing in scheduled airline service, establishing NWT Air with a de Havilland Otter in 1962 and adding a DC-3 the following year. He went on to offer the airline's first scheduled air service in 1968.

"Regional travel, business travel is changing from turbo prop to business jet," said Engle.

NWI Jet owns two, 1982, Citation, twin engine aircraft. One can carry eight passengers while the other is suited for 10. Both jets are certified to land on gravel runways. If purchased new, the jets would cost about $5 million but a weakness in the business jet market makes them worth only half that.

"Business jets are a more costly aircraft," he said. "A key in the charter business is to keep your capital costs in hand."

So through the combination of managing expenses and luring executive business travellers Engle hopes to take advantage of the diamond industry as well as the sprouting oil and gas economy.

"We're for the medium to longer haul market and for those who prefer the comfort and speed of a jet," said Engle.

The cost of the luxury and speed of jet service is higher than turbo-prop transportation. Although the rate, $5.25 per statute mile, is the same, the fuel is much more expensive. A round-trip flight from Yellowknife to Inuvik in an eight- or 10-person jet will cost $7,648.

"But the jet travels 430 miles per hour instead of 280 miles per hour," said Engle.

The move to Yellowknife will keep two crews employed, including two Yellowknife pilots, as well as a Northern manager.

Clients' service and information inquiries will be answered in a Yellowknife office but a Vancouver operator will take over after regular working hours.