KIVALLIQ - Kivalliq Air is moving quickly to address passenger concerns over washrooms on its aircraft.

The airline recently spent $45,000 per plane to install washroom facilities in its aircraft.

Naomi Monkman and Bobby Makpah of Kivalliq Air are all smiles in Rankin Inlet this past week after getting the news their airline will be adding a new plane to its fleet and further improving washroom facilities in its aircraft. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The portable toilets and Velcro curtains didn't impress passengers, however, despite the cost.

So the airline is taking the next step to install solid panelling and a locking door to the washrooms at a cost of $85,000 per plane.

The installations should be complete within the next two weeks.

John McFee, manager of operations for Kivalliq Air, said the airline decided to move ahead with the upgrade despite the fact its aircraft weren't intended to have washrooms on-board.

"In response to the terms of the contract we proposed for medical passenger travel in the Kivalliq and Sanikiluaq, we agreed to have washrooms integrated into the aircraft interior," said McFee.

"The expensive part was the actual aircraft drawings.

"When anything is installed and attached to the frame of an aircraft, drawings have to be produced and submitted to Transport Canada for approval.

"Having drawings done and approved accounted for about 50 per cent of the total cost."

Kivalliq Air began offering six-days-per-week service to all seven Kivalliq communities on April 1, the same day as its new three-year medical passenger travel contract went into effect.

The Nunavut government holds an option for a fourth year on the contract.

The airline also began Winnipeg-to-Sanikiluaq service three days per week.

McFee said to date, the increased schedule has been going well.

He said the Baker Lake market, in particular, has continued to grow for the airline and the more residents and businesses use its flights, the more the market will continue to expand.

"Arviat is a similar situation and has been very responsive to the service we've started there.

"Whale Cove has doubled to 10 flights per week with our new schedule, and Chesterfield Inlet, Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour have always been valued locations for us."

Kivalliq Air unveiled more good news with the announcement it will be adding another aircraft to its fleet in the near future.

The airline currently has two Beechcraft 1900C planes configured to accommodate 16 passengers and one smaller eight-seat craft.

A third Beechcraft 1900C will replace the smaller aircraft, which will then be used for charters and other activities of that nature.

The airline hopes to have the new aircraft added in July, but has set the end of the summer as the absolute latest the plane will join the fleet.

Kivalliq Air also hopes to have its medevac contract renewed with the government.

McFee said the airline's five-year contract to provide medevac services in the region expired March 21.

"Being the only Kivalliq-based airline, we continue to strive to earn the respect of the passengers in the region and their desire to travel on our airline.

"It's anticipated a request for proposal will be issued any day now for the medevac contract, which we will, of course, respond to.

"The amount of support we've received throughout the Kivalliq in regards to the medevac contract has been incredible.

"It's actually been humbling to hear how much respect for our medevac services there is across the region."