Trans-Arctic flight moves to new schedule this summer

A regular trans-Arctic flight is switching up its schedule this summer, Nunavut’s two major airlines announced this week.

Starting August 15, the Yellowknife-Rankin Inlet-Iqaluit flight, which currently flies Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, will bump forward a day, and fly Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The change is to offer customers the option of “Monday to Friday” and “Friday to Monday” travel, said Canadian North and First Air July 13, the two airlines who operate the flight through a codeshare.

Starting Aug. 15, Canadian North will operate the Monday flight, while First Air will fly passengers along the same route on Wednesday and Fridays (see schedule below.)

The three-times-a-week flight is an important link for both leisure travellers and cargo customers in Nunavut, the airlines said, adding both are always looking for ways to improve the convenience for customers.

“Throughout the first year of codesharing, we’ve always said that we take feedback very serious,” said Bert van der Stege, vice-president commercial at First Air, in a July 13 release.

“As long as desired changes can be implemented economically, we’re always keen on improvements to better serve our customers.”

Flights within the revised schedules are now available for booking with each airline online or by telephone.

Canadian North and First Air have moved their codeshare-operated Yellowknife-Rankin Inlet-Iqaluit flight to three new weekdays starting this summer.