Wasaya Airlines intends to own the northern skies.
The 21-year-old company took its latest step on Thursday, officially unveiling a 37-passenger Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft that will make travel to and from the north a lot more comfortable and affordable.
“Everything we need, from groceries, medical supplies, housing and clothing, to fuel and recreational vehicles are shipped by the airline,” said Wasaya Airlines chairman and CEO Hezekiah Sakakeep.
“They also provide us with passenger transportation, service for reasons like medical, business and leisure services. In this respect, Wasaya Airlines is really the lifeline to our communities.”
The plane, which doubles the capacity of the airline’s largest existing aircraft, is an important next step in the continued development of the north, he added.
“The service and the choice of the Dash-8 makes life in the North better for us in the communities and the many businesses we deal with,” said Sakakeep, whose father was one of the visionaries who founded the airline.
His father never would have guessed his son would be standing in front of a crowd nearing 100 in the Wasaya Airways hangar at the Thunder Bay International Airport, having helped build the company to 395 employees and 21 aircraft.
“What this new aircraft represents for our communities is something bigger than just this event. It is a symbol of the growth of our communities. It is a symbol of a dream and a vision of our elders that is now being realized,” he said.
The sleek airliner, capable of carrying four-and-a-half tonnes of cargo, with a range of 1,900 kilometres, will be used mainly to transport passengers, goods and supplies between Thunder Bay and Goldcorp’s burgeoning Musselwhite mine.
The plane is also capable of landing on gravel, needs a shorter take-off space than most comparable planes and can land in low-ceiling weather, a must in Northern Ontario.
Gil Lawson, Musselwhite’s mine superintendent, said the airline has been a great partner, adding he’s not sure people in Thunder Bay truly understand the impact a partnership like the one his company has forged with Wasaya has on the Northern economy.
Without reliable transportation, his mine would be facing a severe shortage of skilled labour, many of whom split their time between the gold mine and the city.
Wasaya Airlines president and CEO Tom Morris, who plans to add another Dash 8 in the coming years, said the airline is just trying to meet the changing needs of business and recreational customers. The aircraft is also versatile, capable
“We had to go with this type of aircraft to further enhance the services to the remote communities and to all the communities we serve,” he said.
“I think having this type of aircraft, it will provide even more effective and efficient and reliable service. With this service, passengers who go up north will have all of their luggage with them. There will be no luggage left behind … I think having an airline of this size further promotes us as an airline that provides even more superior customer service.”
Wasaya flies daily to 25 Northern communities, including 21 First Nations, with bases in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Pickle Lake and Timmins.
The 21-year-old company took its latest step on Thursday, officially unveiling a 37-passenger Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft that will make travel to and from the north a lot more comfortable and affordable.
“Everything we need, from groceries, medical supplies, housing and clothing, to fuel and recreational vehicles are shipped by the airline,” said Wasaya Airlines chairman and CEO Hezekiah Sakakeep.
“They also provide us with passenger transportation, service for reasons like medical, business and leisure services. In this respect, Wasaya Airlines is really the lifeline to our communities.”
The plane, which doubles the capacity of the airline’s largest existing aircraft, is an important next step in the continued development of the north, he added.
“The service and the choice of the Dash-8 makes life in the North better for us in the communities and the many businesses we deal with,” said Sakakeep, whose father was one of the visionaries who founded the airline.
His father never would have guessed his son would be standing in front of a crowd nearing 100 in the Wasaya Airways hangar at the Thunder Bay International Airport, having helped build the company to 395 employees and 21 aircraft.
“What this new aircraft represents for our communities is something bigger than just this event. It is a symbol of the growth of our communities. It is a symbol of a dream and a vision of our elders that is now being realized,” he said.
The sleek airliner, capable of carrying four-and-a-half tonnes of cargo, with a range of 1,900 kilometres, will be used mainly to transport passengers, goods and supplies between Thunder Bay and Goldcorp’s burgeoning Musselwhite mine.
The plane is also capable of landing on gravel, needs a shorter take-off space than most comparable planes and can land in low-ceiling weather, a must in Northern Ontario.
Gil Lawson, Musselwhite’s mine superintendent, said the airline has been a great partner, adding he’s not sure people in Thunder Bay truly understand the impact a partnership like the one his company has forged with Wasaya has on the Northern economy.
Without reliable transportation, his mine would be facing a severe shortage of skilled labour, many of whom split their time between the gold mine and the city.
Wasaya Airlines president and CEO Tom Morris, who plans to add another Dash 8 in the coming years, said the airline is just trying to meet the changing needs of business and recreational customers. The aircraft is also versatile, capable
“We had to go with this type of aircraft to further enhance the services to the remote communities and to all the communities we serve,” he said.
“I think having this type of aircraft, it will provide even more effective and efficient and reliable service. With this service, passengers who go up north will have all of their luggage with them. There will be no luggage left behind … I think having an airline of this size further promotes us as an airline that provides even more superior customer service.”
Wasaya flies daily to 25 Northern communities, including 21 First Nations, with bases in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Pickle Lake and Timmins.
