LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
Canadian North has added two extra days of flights to Norman Wells each week, picking up those lost when First Air dropped the community from its flight route earlier this year.

Canadian North is operating flights to Norman Wells seven days a week, with a mix of passengers and cargo - photo courtesy Canadian North

"We get tremendous support on that route," said Kelly Lewis, communications manager for Canadian North.

"It's the key route in our network going into Inuvik from Yellowknife and that includes stopping in Norman Wells."

First Air announced at the end of March that it would be cancelling flights between Yellowknife and Norman Wells starting May 17.

According to Lewis, the two companies operated a code-share agreement that gave First Air responsibility for flights to Norman Wells on Mondays and Fridays.

Canadian North operated flights to the town during the other five days of the week.

At the time of the cancellation, First Air promised to reimburse any customers who had purchased flights with them for after May 17, or help them make alternate flight plans.

"We're going to continue operating to Norman Wells but now it's seven days a week," Lewis explained.

He said the choice "just made sense" for Canadian North as it seems to be the carrier of choice for the Sahtu's regional centre.

Lewis said the two extra days of service to Norman Wells will be better than before.

The airline will operate a Boeing 737 jet on that route, whereas First Air was using smaller planes, he said.

The Canadian North aircraft can carry up to 120 passengers, although the airline usually carries a mix of people and cargo.

"We have really good support in Norman Wells and Inuvik, so there's more than enough volume there to justify doing this for the long-term," Lewis said. "This is a really good thing to be able to serve the community with our own planes and our own service again."

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