First Air
CanadaAbout the airline
First Air (7F/FAB) was a Canadian airline founded in 1946, based in Canada with hubs in Yellowknife, Ottawa, and Iqaluit. It specialized in regional and remote area service across northern Canada before ceasing operations in 2019.
Fleet
First Air (IATA: 7F, ICAO: FAB) was Canada's leading regional carrier, established in 1946. The airline built its reputation on connecting remote communities and major centers across Canada's vast geography, particularly in the Arctic and northern regions where few other carriers operated.
The airline maintained three primary hubs: Yellowknife Airport, Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, and Iqaluit Airport. This network allowed First Air to serve both essential regional routes and key transcontinental connections, making it indispensable for business travelers, residents, and cargo operations in underserved areas.
First Air's fleet combined regional turboprops (ATR 42 and ATR 72) for smaller communities with larger jet aircraft (Boeing 737 and Boeing 767) for trunk routes, plus cargo capacity via the L-382 Hercules. On November 1, 2019, the airline ceased independent operations after being acquired by Canadian North, ending over 70 years of service.