Wasaya Airways
Encyclopedia
Wasaya Airways LP is a 100% First Nations
owned domestic airline with its headquarters in Thunder Bay
, Northern Ontario
. To date, its main hubs are at the Thunder Bay International Airport
and Sioux Lookout Airport
, however, it also offers a charter service out of a base in Red Lake
, a charter and limited scheduled service out of a base in Pickle Lake
, and recently opened a new charter service base in Timmins
. In 2003, Wasaya Airways bought out the rights to serve remote First Nations
communities from Bearskin Airlines
. The airline also supplies food, clothing, hardware and other various supplies to 25 remote communities in Ontario
.
Established in 1989, the name "Wasaya" comes from the Oji-Cree language
, which means "it is bright" in English
, in reference to the brightness of the rising Sun. The airline has grown over the years starting off as a floatplane
operation to now a charter and scheduled passenger service airline. Their inflight magazine Sagatay is published in conjunction with Wawatay Native Communications Society
. In October 2010, the company purchased a Bombardier Dash 8 to bolster its fleet.
.
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
owned domestic airline with its headquarters in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
. To date, its main hubs are at the Thunder Bay International Airport
Thunder Bay International Airport
Thunder Bay Airport or Thunder Bay International Airport, , is an airport in the Canadian city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. With 80,591 aircraft movements in 2010 it was the 7th busiest airport in Ontario and the 24th busiest airport in Canada...
and Sioux Lookout Airport
Sioux Lookout Airport
Sioux Lookout Airport, , is a regional airport based in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. The airport opened in 1933. It was, at the time, the second busiest airport in North America next to Chicago Midway International Airport...
, however, it also offers a charter service out of a base in Red Lake
Red Lake, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
, a charter and limited scheduled service out of a base in Pickle Lake
Pickle Lake, Ontario
Pickle Lake is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the most northerly community in the province that has year-round access by road. Located north of Thunder Bay, highway access is via Highway 599, the only access road to the town from the south. More northerly communities rely...
, and recently opened a new charter service base in Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
. In 2003, Wasaya Airways bought out the rights to serve remote First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
communities from Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Lake Air Services Ltd., trading as Bearskin Airlines, is a regional airline based in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. It operates services in northern Ontario and Manitoba...
. The airline also supplies food, clothing, hardware and other various supplies to 25 remote communities in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Established in 1989, the name "Wasaya" comes from the Oji-Cree language
Oji-Cree language
The Severn Ojibwa or the Oji-Cree language is the indigenous name for a dialect of the Ojibwe language spoken in a series of Oji-Cree communities in northern Ontario and at Island Lake, Manitoba, Canada...
, which means "it is bright" in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, in reference to the brightness of the rising Sun. The airline has grown over the years starting off as a floatplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
operation to now a charter and scheduled passenger service airline. Their inflight magazine Sagatay is published in conjunction with Wawatay Native Communications Society
Wawatay Native Communications Society
Wawatay Native Communications Society was formed in 1974 by the people of Northern Ontario's Nishnawbe Aski Nation, as a source of communications technology, namely radio, television, and print media services for the Oji-cree communities. Its mandate is to preserve the indigenous language and...
. In October 2010, the company purchased a Bombardier Dash 8 to bolster its fleet.
Scheduled services
- OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
- Bearskin Lake (Bearskin Lake AirportBearskin Lake AirportBearskin Lake Airport, , is located northwest of Bearskin Lake, Ontario, Canada.-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory...
) - Cat Lake (Cat Lake AirportCat Lake AirportCat Lake Airport, , is located adjacent to Cat Lake, Ontario, Canada.-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory...
) - Deer Lake (Deer Lake Airport)
- DrydenDryden, OntarioDryden is the second-largest city in the Kenora District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada, located on Wabigoon Lake. It is the smallest community in the province of Ontario designated as a city...
(Dryden Regional AirportDryden Regional AirportDryden Regional Airport, , is located northeast of Dryden, Ontario, Canada.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory*...
) - Eabametoong First NationEabametoong First NationEabametoong, also known as Fort Hope, is an Ojibway First Nation in Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. Located on the shore of Eabamet Lake in the Albany River system, the community is located approximately 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and is accessible only by airplane to Fort Hope...
(Fort Hope) (Fort Hope AirportFort Hope AirportFort Hope Airport, , is located adjacent to the First Nations community of Eabametoong, also known as Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada....
) - Fort SevernFort Severn, OntarioFort Severn First Nation is located on Hudson Bay and is the most northern community in Ontario, Canada.As of 2001, the population was 401, consisting of 90 families in an area of 40 square kilometres...
(Fort Severn AirportFort Severn AirportFort Severn Airport, , is located northwest of Fort Severn First Nation, Ontario, Canada. It is served by Wasaya Airways.-Accidents and incidents:...
) - Kasabonika First NationKasabonika First NationKasabonika Lake First Nation or Kasabonika First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. There are no roads into the community and the only access is through Kasabonika Airport...
(Kasabonika AirportKasabonika AirportKasabonika Airport, , was an airport located in the west of the First Nations community of Kasabonika, Ontario, Canada. Currently, only Wasaya Airways use the airport and only for cargo flights and occasionally*Air Atonabee *City Express...
) - Keewaywin First NationKeewaywin First NationKeewaywin is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation by Sandy Lake. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
(Keewaywin AirportKeewaywin AirportKeewaywin Airport, , is located southwest of the First Nations community of Keewaywin, Ontario, Canada....
) - Kingfisher First NationKingfisher First NationKingfisher First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. It is accessible by air all year round, waterways during summer and ice roads in winter...
(Kingfisher Lake AirportKingfisher Lake AirportKingfisher Lake Airport, , is located southwest of the First Nations community of Kingfisher Lake, Ontario, Canada....
) - Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First NationKitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First NationKitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug , also known as Big Trout Lake First Nation or KI for short, is a First Nations community in Northwestern Ontario. Part of Treaty 9...
(Big Trout Lake) (Big Trout Lake AirportBig Trout Lake AirportBig Trout Lake Airport, , is located southwest of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug , Ontario, Canada.-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory...
) - Muskrat Dam Lake First NationMuskrat Dam Lake First NationThe Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario. They reside on the Muskrat Dam Lake reserve, located on Muskrat Dam Lake in the Kenora District. The community of Muskrat Dam, Ontario, is located on this reserve...
(Muskrat Dam AirportMuskrat Dam AirportMuskrat Dam Airport, , is located north of the First Nations community of Muskrat Dam, Ontario, Canada.-External links:*...
) - Neskantaga First Nation (Lansdowne House) (Lansdowne House AirportLansdowne House AirportLansdowne House Airport, , is located southwest of the First Nations community of Neskantaga , Ontario, Canada....
) - Nibinamik First NationNibinamik First NationNibinamik First Nation , also known as Summer Beaver Band, is a small Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario, located on the Summer Beaver Settlement that is connected to the rest of the province by its airport, and a winter/ice road that leads to the Northern Ontario Resource...
(Summer Beaver), (Summer Beaver AirportSummer Beaver AirportSummer Beaver Airport, , is located southwest of the First Nations community of Nibinamik , Ontario, Canada....
) - North Spirit Lake First NationNorth Spirit Lake First NationNorth Spirit Lake First Nation is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation, and Deer Lake First Nation by winter/ice roads...
(North Spirit Lake AirportNorth Spirit Lake AirportNorth Spirit Lake Airport, , is located southeast of the First Nations community of North Spirit Lake, Ontario, Canada....
) - PeawanuckPeawanuck, OntarioPeawanuck is an isolated Cree community in the Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. It is located near the confluence of the Winisk and Shamattawa Rivers, about 35 km from the Winisk River's end in Hudson Bay. Its population is 139 ....
(Peawanuck AirportPeawanuck AirportPeawanuck Airport, , is located adjacent to Peawanuck, Ontario, Canada....
) - Pickle LakePickle Lake, OntarioPickle Lake is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the most northerly community in the province that has year-round access by road. Located north of Thunder Bay, highway access is via Highway 599, the only access road to the town from the south. More northerly communities rely...
(Pickle Lake AirportPickle Lake AirportPickle Lake Airport, , is located southwest of Pickle Lake, Ontario, Canada.-Accidents and incidents:*On 12 May 1977, Douglas R4D-1 C-FBKV of Patricia Air Services was written off in an accident. One person was killed....
) - Pikangikum First NationPikangikum First NationThe Pikangikum First Nation is an Ojibwe First Nation located on the Pikangikum 14 Reserve, in Unorganized Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada...
(Pikangikum AirportPikangikum AirportPikangikum Airport, , is located northeast of the First Nations community of Pikangikum, Ontario, Canada....
) - Poplar Hill (Poplar Hill AirportPoplar Hill AirportPoplar Hill Airport, , is located adjacent to Poplar Hill, Ontario, Canada....
) - Red LakeRed Lake, OntarioPopulation trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
(Red Lake AirportRed Lake AirportRed Lake Airport, , is located north of Red Lake, Ontario, Canada.The airport is classified as an airport of entry by NAV CANADA and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency. CBSA officers at this airport currently can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers....
) - Sachigo Lake First NationSachigo Lake First NationSachigo Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Unorganized Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located on Sachigo Lake, part of the Sachigo River system and Hudson Bay drainage basin, approximately north of the town of Sioux Lookout...
(Sachigo Lake AirportSachigo Lake AirportSachigo Lake Airport, , is located north of the First Nations community of Sachigo Lake, Ontario, Canada.Because Sachigo Lake First Nation is a "dry" community that forbids alcohol, each arriving passenger has their luggage searched in a separate arrivals building to make sure they are not...
) - Sandy Lake (Sandy Lake AirportSandy Lake AirportSandy Lake Airport, , is located adjacent to Sandy Lake, Ontario, Canada....
) - Sioux LookoutSioux Lookout, OntarioSioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
(Sioux Lookout AirportSioux Lookout AirportSioux Lookout Airport, , is a regional airport based in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. The airport opened in 1933. It was, at the time, the second busiest airport in North America next to Chicago Midway International Airport...
) - Thunder BayThunder Bay-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
(Thunder Bay International AirportThunder Bay International AirportThunder Bay Airport or Thunder Bay International Airport, , is an airport in the Canadian city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. With 80,591 aircraft movements in 2010 it was the 7th busiest airport in Ontario and the 24th busiest airport in Canada...
) - Wapekeka First NationWapekeka First NationWapekeka First Nation is a First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario. An Oji-Cree community in the Kenora District, the community is located approximately 450 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout...
(Angling Lake/Wapekeka AirportAngling Lake/Wapekeka AirportAngling Lake/Wapekeka Airport, , is located west of the First Nations settlement of Wapekeka, Ontario, Canada, to the east of Big Trout Lake. The airport is operated by the Province of Ontario, and consists of a gravel runway with published instrument approaches.-External links:* on COPA's Places...
) - Weagamow Lake (Round Lake (Weagamow Lake) AirportRound Lake (Weagamow Lake) AirportRound Lake Airport, , is located east of Round Lake, Ontario, Canada....
) - Webequie First NationWebequie First NationWebequie First Nation is located on the northern peninsula of Eastwood Island on Winisk Lake, 540 km north of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Webequie is a fly-in community with no summer road access. The primary way into the community is by air to Webequie Airport or winter road, which...
(Webequie AirportWebequie AirportWebequie Airport, , is located south southwest of the First Nations community of Webequie, Ontario, Canada....
) - Wunnumin Lake First NationWunnumin Lake First NationWunnumin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout in Ontario, Canada...
(Wunnummin Lake AirportWunnummin Lake AirportWunnummin Lake Airport, , is located south of the First Nations community of Wunnummin Lake, Ontario, Canada.-Accidents and incidents:11 April 1977, Douglas C-47B C-FXXT of Superior Airways was damaged beyond economic repair in an aborted take-off....
)
- Bearskin Lake (Bearskin Lake Airport
- ManitobaManitobaManitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
- WinnipegWinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, (Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport)
- Winnipeg
Other destinations
- Ontario
- Attawapiskat (Attawapiskat AirportAttawapiskat AirportAttawapiskat Airport, , is adjacent to Attawapiskat, Ontario Canada.-Airlines:*Air Creebec *Thunder Airlines...
) - Fort AlbanyFort Albany, OntarioFort Albany First Nation is a community in within the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, Canada. Situated on the southern shore of the Albany River, Fort Albany First Nation is only accessible by air or by winter road....
(Fort Albany AirportFort Albany AirportFort Albany Airport, , is located adjacent to Fort Albany, Ontario, Canada....
) - HearstHearst, OntarioHearst is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located in Northern Ontario, approximately west of Kapuskasing, approximately north of Toronto and east of Thunder Bay on Highway 11...
(Hearst (René Fontaine) Municipal AirportHearst (René Fontaine) Municipal AirportHearst Municipal Airport , named after René Fontaine, is located northwest of Hearst, Ontario, Canada.-References:...
) - Kashechewan First NationKashechewan First NationThe Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree First Nation located near James Bay in Northern Ontario, Canada. The community is located on the northern shore of the Albany River. Kashechewan First Nation is one of two communities that were established from Old Fort Albany in the 1950s...
(Kashechewan AirportKashechewan AirportKashechewan Airport, , is located west of the First Nations community of Kashechewan, Ontario, Canada....
) - MoosoneeMoosonee, OntarioMoosonee is a town in northern Ontario, Canada, on the Moose River approximately south of James Bay. It is considered as "the Gateway to the Arctic" and has Ontario's only saltwater port...
(Moosonee AirportMoosonee AirportMoosonee Airport, , is located north-east of Moosonee, Ontario, Canada.The Moosonee Airport was officially opened in May 1970 and a new terminal building was constructed in July 1991, that houses the airport management office and washrooms. There are several small buildings and hangars at the...
) - North BayNorth Bay, OntarioNorth Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
(North Bay/Jack Garland AirportNorth Bay/Jack Garland AirportNorth Bay Airport or North Bay/Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, Canada is located at Hornell Heights, north-northeast of the city. The airport serves as a North American Aerospace Defense Command base....
) - Sault Ste. MarieSault Ste. Marie, OntarioSault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
(Sault Ste. Marie AirportSault Ste. Marie AirportSault Ste. Marie Airport, , is an international airport located west-southwest of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada at the far eastern end of Lake Superior and the beginning of the St. Mary's River.-History:...
) - Greater Sudbury (Sudbury Airport)
- TimminsTimminsTimmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
(Timmins/Victor M. Power Airport)
- Attawapiskat (Attawapiskat Airport
Fleet
As of April 2010 Wasaya Airways had the following aircraft registered with Transport CanadaTransport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
.
| Aircraft | Number | Variants | Idents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avro 748 Avro 748 The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated... |
5 | Series 2A/2B | FFFS, FTTW, GBCY, GLTC, GMAA | Freight only, also known as the "Hawker Siddeley 748" |
| Beechcraft 1900D Airliner Beechcraft 1900 The Beechcraft 1900 is a 19-passenger, pressurized twin-engine turboprop airplane manufactured by the Beechcraft Division of the Raytheon Company . It was designed, and is primarily used, as a regional airliner... |
6 | 1900D | FQWA, FWAU, FWAX, FWZK, GSWA, GZVJ | 15-19 passengers |
| Cessna 208B Caravan Cessna 208 The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers... |
4 | 208B | FKAD, FKDL, FPCC, FWAW | 9 passengers |
| Pilatus PC-12 Pilatus PC-12 The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.-Design and development:... |
8 | PC12-45 | FKPI, FKRB, FPCL, FWAV, FYZS, GBXW, GGWA, GPAI | 9 passengers |
| Dash 8 | 2 | 100/300 | FDND,GMWT | 22-37/50-56 passengers |
Accidents and incidents
- On 6 August 1998 Wasaya Airways Flight 804 was a British Aerospace BAe-748Avro 748The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...
that overran the runway at Kasabonika AirportKasabonika AirportKasabonika Airport, , was an airport located in the west of the First Nations community of Kasabonika, Ontario, Canada. Currently, only Wasaya Airways use the airport and only for cargo flights and occasionally*Air Atonabee *City Express...
injuring all 4 crew.