But things could be bad for First Air if it was Canadian North doing the buying. The First Air name could end because resource companies like a non-accident record. In addition, Canadian North would probably keep their own head office unless they felt there was an advantage to an eastern one. Having a northern head office can appeal to northerners. And, would Canadian North want to just do jet overnights in Ottawa using western based crews.

This post died a rapid death.

Typical aviation rumor here today gone tomorrow...........

Nothin new on this hey?

Watch for the new tail decal on our next aircraft. "Polar Bear Playing With Yellow Beach Ball". Take what meaning you will from this.

There are some details to work out, however. Its hard to tell customers: "Go get a quote from the other guys and we will take 5% off of that" when there are no other guys. New sales strategies may have to be developed.

godsrcrazy wrote:Probably the truth to this whole thing is since Canada post was made to open the books over the whole food mail fiasco First air no longer making the money they use to. First air has lost a pile of revenue (Profit) since people started looking into these contracts.

And your privy to FIRSTAIR's books are you?.....Well let us know just exactly how much they've lost, I'd love to know

Maybe 5T/Nunasi want to purchase 7F for rights to the Herc ops.. not the B737 traffic.

7F is the only commercial carrier in Canada certificated for Herc operations and have all rights for acquiring and operating them in Canada, No one else does, so speculatively, it would only be a smart move if 5T were looking to obtain more Herc or B767F types, otherwise, let it be.

The only time you will see another Herc operated commercially in Canada is if 7F sub contracts the carrier to pick up some of their flying (Lynden Air Cargo, Safair). Not to mention 5T would gain the B767F for cargo ops too.

DHC5 wrote:7F is the only commercial carrier in Canada certificated for Herc operations and have all rights for acquiring and operating them in Canada,

Interesting....how does an airline get a lock on a particular type??

Sounds like Nolinor has bought two Herc's out of Africa... So there will soon be a second show in the country, other rumour I heard was that Nolinor hired First Air's Herc sales guy...

The chatter is getting louder. Any news on this Canadian North/First Air merger ?

ski_bum wrote:Sounds like Nolinor has bought two Herc's out of Africa... So there will soon be a second show in the country, other rumour I heard was that Nolinor hired First Air's Herc sales guy...

I to am wondering about this, the particular gentlemen that went over is a friend of a friend that went after his job at first. If nolinor got some hercs than wow have they ever expanded in the last while.

It is true that I am now working with Nolinor, and also that we're in the process of importing at least one hercules. It remains to be seen if there will be two, but everyone over here is excited to get the first one on-line, especially me. I do miss my friends at 7F every day, but couldn't be more excited to be working with the team here. Personally, I left my old role after five of the best years of my life, where an amazing group of aviation folks taught me a million lessons, some fun, and some not, but I didn't leave for any reason other than moving into a new, more challenging role, and trying out a new set of scenery. Nothing to do with a sale of an airline, nothing to do with knowing anything that anyone else doesn't, there's no smoking gun.

I had a hell of a time in YOW and especially up north, and wouldn't change that experience for the world. I know I had a lot to learn when I got there and still lots when I left, and maybe I brush some people the wrong way at times, but a lot of people put up with me and taught me so much. To them I will be forever thankful.

This is kind of goofy, but I should probably say that there are no plans to have a decal on a First Air aircraft that involve a Polar Bear playing with a beach ball. This was intended as a joke, which was not in good taste considering what is at stake for everyone involved.

Was a little bit shocked to hear this repeated back to me today in a serious manner.

Be safe!

Sounds like a done deal if this news story is correct.

http://www.ncsnwt.com/News/TabId/109/Ar ... t-Air.aspx

If its a done deal, then that would be the only thing in that story that is correct

Thats for sure, the deal with Westjet was Canadian North.
Anyone heard rumours of the 767 being based out of YWG?

As a 5T employee, I can say everyone has been very tight lipped about this whole thing, but most people seem to believe that this really is happening. I can't help but wonder what happens with the 767 and the ATR's. Perhaps the old DHC-8's get ditched for the ATR's, which are better for northern flying.

BelowWing wrote:As a 5T employee, I can say everyone has been very tight lipped about this whole thing, but most people seem to believe that this really is happening. I can't help but wonder what happens with the 767 and the ATR's. Perhaps the old DHC-8's get ditched for the ATR's, which are better for northern flying.

From what I understand Canadian North doesn't own those Dash 8's and they have sold a facility in Yellowknife recently. The hangar in YFB, from what I understand was involved in a sale and lease back. 300's are leased as well?

But, considering Canadian North has been in business for 80 years, then I am sure that we will all be fine.

if this does happen it will definitely change the dynamic of the Canadian Arctic for sure.

thirdtimecharm wrote:

BelowWing wrote:As a 5T employee, I can say everyone has been very tight lipped about this whole thing, but most people seem to believe that this really is happening. I can't help but wonder what happens with the 767 and the ATR's. Perhaps the old DHC-8's get ditched for the ATR's, which are better for northern flying.

From what I understand Canadian North doesn't own those Dash 8's and they have sold a facility in Yellowknife recently. The hangar in YFB, from what I understand was involved in a sale and lease back. 300's are leased as well?

But, considering Canadian North has been in business for 80 years, then I am sure that we will all be fine.

Canadian North owns all four of the Dash 8's in its fleet, but they were formerly leased from Regional 1. All of the 300's are also directly owned by Canadian North. One is currently being converted into a combi.

I don't know about the facilities in Yellowknife or Iqaluit, but any changes in terms of facilities are likely linked to the takeover of the old (and huge) Spar hangar in Edmonton (which is being leased from Executive Flight Center).

BelowWing wrote:I can't help but wonder what happens with the 767 and the ATR's. Perhaps the old DHC-8's get ditched for the ATR's, which are better for northern flying.

I should think the 767 will stay as it has its foodmail contract unless they change it for a 757. There was something about Rankin but believe it when you see it. I think the Dash-8's don't have much payload capability. Onr would think that if there is Herc competition, their cash cow will no longer bring in the big bucks when they fly, but will still drain the big bucks when they don't fly.

I'd imagine they keep that 767 for sure, apparently its very economical to operate. As well hopefully they would put Canadians portion of the food mail on it and remove those 727's...

BelowWing wrote:

thirdtimecharm wrote:

BelowWing wrote:As a 5T employee, I can say everyone has been very tight lipped about this whole thing, but most people seem to believe that this really is happening. I can't help but wonder what happens with the 767 and the ATR's. Perhaps the old DHC-8's get ditched for the ATR's, which are better for northern flying.

From what I understand Canadian North doesn't own those Dash 8's and they have sold a facility in Yellowknife recently. The hangar in YFB, from what I understand was involved in a sale and lease back. 300's are leased as well?

But, considering Canadian North has been in business for 80 years, then I am sure that we will all be fine.

Canadian North owns all four of the Dash 8's in its fleet, but they were formerly leased from Regional 1. All of the 300's are also directly owned by Canadian North. One is currently being converted into a combi.

I don't know about the facilities in Yellowknife or Iqaluit, but any changes in terms of facilities are likely linked to the takeover of the old (and huge) Spar hangar in Edmonton (which is being leased from Executive Flight Center).

BelowWing,

Yes, they do own the Dash 8's but I am pretty sure that the 300's are leased or so I was told. But honestly I did not see a bill of sale or lease so who knows.

Canadian North owns the 4 DHC-8's and 7 of 8 B737-200's. 737-300's are leased.

motox415 wrote:Canadian North owns the 4 DHC-8's and 7 of 8 B737-200's. 737-300's are leased.

That was my understanding, wow glad that one was settled (lol)

Thanks motox415