Northwestern Air is an airline based in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates ad hoc charters and long-term charter contracts for various corporations throughout Canada and the United States. Previously, it operated scheduled passenger services to seven destinations in two territories/provinces.
Its main base is Fort Smith Airport.
History The airline was established in 1965 as a leasing company and started flying operations in 1968. It expanded to operate scheduled passenger services in 1984. It is wholly owned by the Harrold family and had more than 70 employees in September 2018.
On 18 December 2024 the airline announced it would be terminating scheduled operations on 16 January 2025 to concentrate on contract charters using its Cessna fleet. Air Tindi would be taking over the scheduled routes. The airline cited the ages of Terry and Brian Harold, as well as challenges with pilot recruitment as the reasons for the decision.
Destinations As of January 2024, the airline schedule served the following locations:
Province/territoryCityAirportNotesAlbertaEdmonton Edmonton International AirportFort ChipewyanFort Chipewyan AirportFort McMurrayFort McMurray International AirportHigh LevelHigh Level AirportNorthwest TerritoriesFort SmithFort Smith AirportHay RiverHay River/Merlyn Carter AirportYellowknifeYellowknife Airport
Fleet As of January 2024, the Northwestern Air fleet includes fourteen aircraft registered with Transport Canada and ten listed at the Northwestern Air web site:
+ Northwestern Air fleetAircraftIn service (TC)In service (PLR)VariantsNotesBritish Aerospace Jetstream810 3100, 3200 Transport Canada lists three 3100 and five 3200. Northwestern lists five of each.Cessna 172 10 172NCessna 185 Skywagon 11 A185FCessna 206 22 U206One each U206E and U206GCessna 210 Centurion 11 210LPiper PA-34 Seneca10PA-34-220TTotal1414
Previously operated include: Piper Aerostar Beechcraft Queen Air Beechcraft Baron Beechcraft Model 99 Cessna 150 Cessna 172 Cessna 208 Cessna 310 Cessna Skymaster Cessna 401 and 402 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter North American B-25 Mitchell Piper PA-16 Clipper Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
Accidents and incidents On 23 January 2024, Northwestern Air Flight 738 crashed shortly after takeoff from Fort Smith Airport, killing six people and injuring one. The British Aerospace Jetstream was a charter to Diavik Airport at the Diavik Diamond Mine.
References
External links
Northwestern Air