Canadian North announced that it will begin serving the Ottawa – Iqaluit market with a newer and larger Boeing 737-300 Combi aircraft in early 2017.
This versatile aircraft will be dedicated to daily year-round operation on this important northern gateway route, offering greater passenger and cargo capacity versus Canadian North’s 737-200 Combi aircraft currently serving this market.
Canadian North passengers travelling between Ottawa and Iqaluit will enjoy an enhanced inflight experience thanks to the aircraft’s quieter cabin, comfortable leather seating, ample leg room and inflight entertainment system.
Canadian North successfully introduced its first 737-300 Combi into scheduled service to the Mackenzie Valley market in March, 2015. This innovative aircraft, the first 737-300 Combi with a moveable bulkhead to accommodate multiple combinations of cargo and passengers, has since proven to be ideally suited to northern operations thanks to its larger size and flexibility. It also creates a smaller carbon footprint, burning 20% less fuel than 737-200 aircraft.
“We are very excited to upgrade our daily service between Iqaluit and Ottawa with the addition of a long-anticipated second 737-300 Combi to our fleet,” said Steve Hankirk, President of Canadian North.
“Our first 737-300 Combi has proven to be a success on our Mackenzie Valley route in the West and we look forward to replicating this success on our Eastern network in 2017.”
The required conversion of an existing 737-300 aircraft within Canadian North’s fleet to a 737-300 Combi will begin later this month and is expected to take approximately four months to complete. It will enter daily scheduled service on the Ottawa – Iqaluit route as soon as this conversion is finished.
Canadian North’s Ottawa-Iqaluit route serves as a vital link between Southern Canada and communities of the Qikiqtaaluk region. It also connects to communities in the Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and Northwest Territories via the Monday-Wednesday-Friday Trans-Arctic service. Canadian North operates over 300 scheduled and charter flights each week.
Between October 11 and 23, 2016, customers travelling between Ottawa and Iqaluit will enjoy a “sneak peek” of the upcoming 737-300 service, with the temporary operation of a Canadian North 737-300 in place of a 737-200 Combi that will be undergoing routine maintenance.