Airline Chronological History
The airline was established for flight training and general purpose charter operations in February 1977 with a single Cessna 206. Throughout the 1980s the company steadily grew and acquired several more aircraft including Douglas DC-3s, a Douglas DC-4, and a variety of Cessnas, de Havillands and other aircraft.
In February 1977, Air North started as a flying school and charter flights with a Cessna 206. (Photo:diecastaircraftforum.com) 
In the 1980's it acquired Dc-3 to expand services and began its first scheduled flights across Canada. (Photo: aerialvisuals.ca) During the 1980s Air North began offering scheduled passenger and cargo service in addition to charter services. During the 1990s the fleet of piston-powered aircraft were replaced with more modern and reliable turboprop aircraft, and by 2000 the fleet consisted of one Beechcraft Model 99 and three Hawker Siddeley 748 Series 2As
At the turn of the century it used more modern turbo prop aircraft like the Beechcraft 99. (Photo:planeslides.com) 
The more advanced Hawker Siddeley 748 replaced the older Dc-3 and Dc-4 previously used. (Photo:planespotters.net) The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation of Old Crow began investing in Air North around the year 2000, and with help from this investment Air North acquired a pair of Boeing 737-200 jets in 2002. These jets allowed Air North to begin competing with the mainline carriers between Yukon and Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. These routes proved to be successful and since then Kelowna, Yellowknife, Ottawa and Victoria have also been added to Air North's route map.
The Beech 99 was sold in 2005, a fourth Hawker Siddeley 748 acquired in 2006, and in 2008 a Boeing 737-200 combi was acquired. Soon after a gravel kit was also installed on the 737 Combi, allowing the aircraft to operate on the airline's northern routes and expand charter capabilities.
The first Boeing 737-200 arrived in 2002, making use of the combi capabilities of the jet for passenger and cargo transportation alike. (Photo:airliners.net) Starting in 2010 a new fleet expansion and modernization plan was put into action, beginning with a larger B737-400 and a winglet equipped B737-500. In 2012 a fifth HS748 (a pure freighter equipped with the large freight door) and a second 737-500 were acquired.
In spring of 2017 ATR 42 aircraft were introduced to the fleet and put to work on the northern routes, bringing an end to the world's last scheduled passenger HS-748 service.
In 2010, more modern Boeing 737-400 were put into service on the main domestic routes from Whitehorse. (Photo:planespotters.net) 
The ATR-42, arrived in 2017 bringing a new era of comfort and economics, used for its shorter domestic routes. (Photo:airliners.net) An Air North flight receives a water-cannon salute after completing the airline's first scheduled flight to Victoria from Whitehorse, May 2018.
In May 2022, Air North launched its inaugural twice-weekly flight to Toronto via Yellowknife.
In 2024, the company's fleet was further updated with the introduction of two 737-800 aircraft. Both are equipped with winglets, improved performance and updated, Boeing Sky-style interiors.
Since the arrival of the Boeing 737s, the main Air North base in Whitehorse has steadily expanded. It now includes the original hangar which is now used as a cargo warehouse and ground equipment shop, a new aircraft maintenance hangar, a reservations and administration building, an operations centre, an in-house catering and cabin services department, and a fuelling facility. Air North also operates secondary bases in Vancouver, B.C. and Dawson City, Yukon.
The remainder of Air North's revenue comes from ground handling services at Whitehorse, Dawson City, Old Crow, Edmonton, and Vancouver Airports, as well as Jet-A refuelling services at Whitehorse. Air North is currently the main provider of Jet-A fuel service in Whitehorse.
In 2024, the company's fleet was further updated with the introduction of two 737-800 aircraft! (Photo: Airfleets.net) Recent years have also seen Air North reaffirm its long-term commitment to Indigenous ownership, local employment, and environmental responsibility. The airline has publicly emphasized workforce development in the Yukon, partnerships with First Nations, and incremental reductions in emissions through fleet renewal and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, Air North’s future plans are characterized by measured growth rather than aggressive expansion. Strategic priorities include continued modernization of the jet fleet, selective route development based on northern demand rather than mass tourism, and further strengthening of cargo operations as a core business pillar.
Airline Factual Information
Most of Air North's work is scheduled passenger and cargo flights between Whitehorse and Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson City, Old Crow, Mayo and Inuvik. It also has summer seasonal service to Yellowknife, Ottawa and Toronto.
Air North also runs regular freight trips and fuel-haul flights to the fly-in only community of Old Crow, Yukon. In addition to scheduled routes, Air North also offers passenger, combi, cargo, and fuel-haul charter services to anywhere in North America with the ATR 42s and Boeing 737s.
Air North flies to the following destinations*:
Updated January 2026
Air North has a strong fleet of 11 aircraft operating the domestic routes over Canada and uses its aircraft as well as cargo transport, using its belly hold as well as dedicated cargo jets. The passenger aircraft are based on the Boeing 737, with some operating as combi and ATR-42 for thinner routes to the northern destinations.
The fleet* consists of the following aircraft:
Updated January 2026
Reviews and comments ⭐
*Reviews are collected from independent sites and compelled by the most representative reviews and comments. Planet Airlines Ltd remains impartial to any airlines.