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Creative at Canadian

Northern airline looks to innovation during hard times

Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 26/01) - While airlines' financial woes are front and centre since the Sept. 11 tragedy, Canadian North made some creative changes.

"We are actually going to make some schedule changes here in the not-to-distant future to try and improve the connection opportunities," said Canadian North vice-president and general manager Michael King. Scheduling was restricted by flight crew down-time regulations so the airline is adding another crew.

"That allows us to move the schedule around so we will be out earlier in the morning and arrive later in the evening," said King of a route that will leave business travellers more time for meetings in the North.

Inuvik, Norman Wells, Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Hay River and Fort Smith are Canadian North's Northern destinations. Since Sept. 11 business has settled out substantially for Canadian North but eastern destinations like Rankin Inlet have been less affected than the Western Arctic.

"The advanced bookings came back quite a bit then they kind of plateaued. They are not back to where they used to be," said King. "We have been somewhat sheltered in the North because of the industrial activity, oil and gas development in Inuvik. "Although it's not up to the expectations everybody thought it would be, it is still well ahead of last year."

Cargo is about half to 65 per cent of Canadian North's business in Rankin Inlet or Cambridge Bay but autumn and early winter are typically slower times for shipping.

"People stock up on the sealift but it usually picks up again in November when they realize they forgot to order something," he said. It's freeze-up time in Inuvik, "so we are carrying a lot of cargo up and down the Mackenzie Valley," said King.

The diamond industry also helps to keep the airline busy, he said.

Low natural gas prices have decreased the numbers on direct flights Canadian North offers from Calgary to Inuvik.

The airline was focusing on a booming energy-exploration business hoping to accommodate people travelling from Calgary to the Mackenzie Delta.

Another change for the airline is the addition of two 737 aircraft onto the company's own air-operator certificate.

"Ordinarily when you want to start an airline you have to have a licence to operate," said King.

To acquire a licence the airline needs to show proof of financial fitness, adequate insurance, proof of Canadian ownership and a Canadian aviation document, said King. Canadian North operated under another company's air-operator certificate contracting that company's pilots, flight attendants and maintenance programs.