Air Inuit gets a new boss: Pita Aatami

A familiar figure in Nunavik public life has taken on a new role.

Pita Aatami, the former president of Makivik Corp., has been named president of Air Inuit Ltd., effective March 31.

“Mr. Aatami has been involved in public affairs for over 20 years and will be known to you for his many accomplishments, including those realized during his 15-year tenure as president of Makivik Corporation. We welcome Pita to Air Inuit with our congratulations and our best wishes in this new role,” said a statement from Andy Moorhouse, chairman of Air Inuit’s board of directors.

Aatami takes over from long-time Air Inuit president Peter Horsman.

Air Inuit said Horsman would continue to work with Air Inuit as “in a more consultative role.”

Aatami, 52, served as president of Makivik from 1998 to 2012, when he lost his fifth re-election bid to Jobie Tukkiapik.

Before he was elected as president, Aatami served as Makivik’s treasurer and board member.

In his role as president, Aatami also sat as chairman of First Air and as former president of Kuujjuamiut, Halutik Enterprises and other Makivik subsidiaries.