Air Inuit announces Aug. 6 ‘early’ takeover of Kuujjuaq-Montreal route

Air Inuit will take over Canadian North’s route between Kuujjuaq and Montreal starting Aug. 6.

The transfer of the route was announced in February when it was revealed that Makivvik Corp. and Inuvialuit Regional Corp. had tentatively sold Canadian North, which currently operates the route, to Exchange Income Corp. of Winnipeg for $205 million.

As part of the deal, Canadian North would go to Exchange Income Corp. with the exception of the Kuujjuaq-Montreal route, which Makkivik Corp. retained and would operate through its other airline, Air Inuit.

The companies originally aimed for an Oct. 1 date for that transfer.

But in a news release Friday, Makivvik announced the change would happen sooner than expected.

“Makivvik and Air Inuit want to reassure all passengers with existing bookings for travel on or after Aug. 6 that their reservations will be fully honoured and transferred to Air Inuit,” the Makivvik news release states.

“Travellers will be able to fly the route with Air Inuit using their current booking details.”

Passengers will receive new itineraries if they have already booked flights on or after Aug. 6, Makkivik said. Starting Tuesday, new flights for Aug. 6 and beyond must be booked through Air Inuit.

“The [Montreal-Kuujjuaq] transition work was progressing well and ahead of schedule,” said Lauren D’Oliveira, Canadian North’s head of communications, in an email.

D’Oliveira said Canadian North is working with Air Inuit to transfer bookings for Aug. 6 and after. Canadian North will still accept bookings for flights scheduled between now and Aug. 5.

Canadian North has created a webpage informing passengers of what to expect if they have booked a flight for after the transfer date, and who to contact if they have questions.

Air Inuit has also announced some changes that will come as part of the service. Those include allowing small pets in the cabin, increasing the eligibility age of the seniors’ fare to 65 from 60, and that passengers will be offered two complimentary glasses of wine for flights to Montreal from Kuujjuaq, Kuujjuaraapik and La Grande.

Canadian North will continue operating its route between Kuujjuaq and Iqaluit.

“We are currently reviewing our Iqaluit-Kuujjuaq schedule, and should any changes be required, passengers will be notified as necessary,” D’Oliveira said.

Canadian North’s tentative sale still awaits the federal government’s approval, said Mike Pyle, CEO of Exchange Income Corp., by phone Monday.

But, he said, he expects to hear from them “reasonably soon.”