THUNDER BAY – Wasaya Airways is headed to Winnipeg.
The First Nation-owned airline on Monday launched a daily flight between Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and the Manitoba capital, answering the call of passengers seeking easier access to and from Winnipeg.
Adam Fiddler, chairman of Wasaya’s board of directors, said it’s been a long time coming, but they wanted to ensure they got it right.
“It’s a very exciting day, not only for our airline but our guests in both Thunder Bay and Winnipeg who are looking for expanded service with travel between the two cities,” Fiddler said.
“But not only that but our guests from our owner communities north of Sioux Lookout and the many First Nations that we serve, it now provides very safe, reliable service from the communities in the north, with one stop in Sioux Lookout to get into Winnipeg.”
Fiddler said customers have been asking for the route for some time. Until now, coming out of the remote communities, passengers would have to switch airlines in Sioux Lookout in order to continue on to Winnipeg.
Now they’ll have another, easier option, that can be booked all at once, Fiddler said.
“We took the time to take a look at the market and determine is there a need. We are hearing from our guests there is a need, and from our corporate clients as well,” Fiddler said.
“For example, in the remote north, for people who need to go to Winnipeg for doctor’s appointment or medical attention, they now have that service – one stop in Sioux Lookout and off to Winnipeg.”
Wasaya will utilize a 19-passenger plane for the service, which will leave Thunder Bay each weekday at 12:05 p.m. EDT and Sioux Lookout at 1:05 p.m. CDT. It lands in Winnipeg an hour later, turning around and heading the other direction at 2:35 p.m.
