INNOVATIVE FROM THE
VERY BEGINNING
Innovative ideas have been a major part of
the company since its inception. In 1958,
when founders Russel Bradley and Weldy
Phipps, working under contract with the
Geological Survey of Canada, mounted
“tundra tires” onto their two-seat mono-
plane, a world of possibilities opened up.
Quite suddenly, landing in the ice-ridden
North was not a problem. Operating under
the name Bradley Air Services, the airline
became the go-to company for scientific
and government expeditions to the Arc-
tic. The coming years entailed a fleet en-
largement and further expansion through
the acquisition of Ptarmigan Airways of
Yellowknife and NWT Air. Since then, the
company has been continually expanding
its service area.
First Air has achieved a number of industry
firsts during its 70 years. In 2011, it was
the first in the world to use an ATR 72-
212 with Variable Combi equipped with a
custom designed cargo handling system.
“We aim to continue to provide top-class service and be that reliable service
provider that Northerners need.”
APRIL 2016
H
business elite canada
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