a low number of paved runways, poses
another challenge. The majority of these
communities have a gravel runway with
very limited infrastructure.
The high cost of operating in Northern
Canada is yet another challenge of the
industry. For instance, the price of fuel,
a necessity for all airlines, is three times
higher in Northern Canada than it is in the
south.While southern airlines, like Air Can-
ada, are profiting considerably from recent
drops in fuel price, First Air still spends an
immense amount of capital on fuel.
“Airlines in Canada have to be self-suffi-
cient,” Friesen said. He attests to the dif-
ficulties of being an airline operator in Can-
APRIL 2016
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