Air North Introduces New Service to Alberta

Whitehorse (Yukon Territory) – Air North is proud to announce the introduction of a new service to Calgary and Edmonton from Whitehorse.

This new service is scheduled to commence June 3, 2002 and will operate three times weekly using Boeing 737 aircraft. The addition of this new service stems from the Yukon Air Access Study, a 12-month project that involved organizations from the Yukon and Alberta. This study identified the potential for improved air service and business opportunities between the communities.

“The Yukon’s tourism industry has grown significantly in recent years, and is forecast to continue expanding,” said Joseph Sparling, President of Air North. ” The Yukon public has clearly expressed a desire for a new service into the Alberta market. This presents a great opportunity for Air North and for the economic development of the Yukon’s tourism industry, northern businesses and northern travellers.”

“We are pleased that Air North has chosen to re-establish the non-stop air service link between Whitehorse and Alberta,” commented Garth Atkinson, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “In addition to local passenger and cargo traffic between the two regions, the flight schedule is conducive to travellers from elsewhere in North America and overseas connecting via either Calgary or Edmonton. We look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues in Edmonton and Whitehorse to make this new service a success.”

“The scope of this additional service is significant; in addition to providing a natural business link with our region, the Yukon service will present significant cargo development opportunities with the North, and diverse tourism opportunities particularly with the Alaska Trail project,” stated Scott Clements, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports. “The booming oil and gas industry and the existing trade and commerce between our communities will certainly contribute to the success of this new route.”

A contingent of Edmonton business leaders travelled to Whitehorse on Tuesday, February 12th, to establish business linkages and tourism opportunities, promote the new service, and coordinate operational details. Participating on this trip were Councillor Terry Cavanagh, City of Edmonton; Allan Scott, President and CEO of Economic Development Edmonton; Ken Fiske, Vice President – Tourism, Events & Motion Pictures for Economic Development Edmonton; Scott Clements, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports; and Jim Meyer, Vice President, Marketing and Communications for Edmonton Airports. In January, representatives from Calgary Airport Authority were also involved in a trip with similar objectives.

Air North Flight Schedule – Triangular route
Departure           Time                             Arrival           Time
Whitehorse         10:00 AM (local time)      Calgary         1:30 PM
Calgary              2:20 PM                         Edmonton      2:40 PM
Edmonton           3:20 PM                         Whitehorse    4:50 PM (local time)

*service will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Air North celebrated 25 years of service in Canada’s north on February 1, 2002. Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Air North is the Yukon’s largest inter-territorial carrier with daily service from Whitehorse to Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik (NWT) and Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska. Air North plans to operate two Boeing 737-200 (A) Series jets on its new service to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver in June 2002.

For More Information:

Joseph Sparling, Air North at (867) 668-2228
Bryce Paton, Calgary Airport Authority (403) 735-1322