Baker Lake, Arviat flights designed to connect with First Air routes

Just months after pulling the plug on its Kitikmeot service, Unaalik Aviation launched a new route in the Kivalliq April 24, with stops in Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake and Arviat.

But Unaalik President Jimi Onalik is confident the route, which is designed to mesh with First Air flights to the south, east and west, will be a success, thanks in large part to a mining and exploration boom around Baker Lake.

"We felt that there was definitely room there," Onalik said. "It's a very large community with a lot going on so I think it could be quite successful."

Early flights have mostly carried cargo, he said, but passenger bookings are starting to emerge.

"We're expecting it to be a little slow at the beginning but as people get to hear about it hopefully we'll see some bigger loads," Onalik said.

Unaalik will fly its 15-seat Embraer Bandierante aircraft between Rankin and Baker twice per day, six times per week. Trips to Arviat go twice daily, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The route will connect with First Air flights from Rankin to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Iqaluit, the companies said in a joint news release.

"Our new schedule delivers exactly what our [Kivalliq] customers have been asking for," said Jim Ballingall, First Air's vice president of marketing and sales.

In January, Unaalik suspended service between Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Kugaaruk. Onalik said the route became unprofitable when Unaalik lost a contract to deliver freight to Arctic Co-op stores in the Kitikmeot.

Late last month Canadian North announced it was moving into the Central Arctic with a route serving Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Cambridge Bay.

Onalik said his airline still works with Canadian North on flights originating in Iqaluit