Canadian North

Canadian North was established in 1989 as a subsidiary of Canadian Airlines International, specifically to serve northern Canadian communities' needs. The airline traces its roots to former operators Nordair in eastern Canada and the Canadian Arctic, and Pacific Western Airlines in western Canada and also in the Canadian Arctic. Wardair also maintained a significant Arctic presence during its existence.

In September 1998, Norterra purchased Canadian North, whose ownership was divided equally among the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, representing the Inuvialuit people of the western Canadian Arctic, and Nunasi Corporation, representing the Inuit of Nunavut.

After utilizing three different livery schemes, Canadian North adopted its final pre-merger logo in 2003. Its logo displayed three of the distinctive symbols of the North: the polar bear, the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Canadian North's slogan was changed from "Your North. Your Airline" to "seriously northern" (all in lower-case), with advertising changed to reflect different aspects of the company (serious service, serious delivery, etc.).

In June 2007, Canadian North began serving the Kitikmeot communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Kugaaruk, and Kugluktuk. In April 2008, flights began to seven communities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (Baffin Region) of Nunavut.

On 1 April 2014, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC), representing the Inuvialuit of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, bought the 50% share of Norterra held by Nunasi. The purchase of Nunasi's interest in Norterra gave the IDC complete control of Canadian North, Northern Transportation Company (now Marine Transportation Services), and other companies that were jointly-held. On 11 April 2014, Norterra and Makivvik, owners of First Air announced that they were in negotiations to merge the two airlines. According to a website that had been set up on that same day, the new airline would be owned equally between the two companies and "a merger would create a stronger, more sustainable business, provide better service to customers and lead to new economic development opportunities across the North. We believe the two companies would complement each other's strengths." In October 2014, it was announced the merger would not go through, but Canadian North would still codeshare on some flights with First Air until 16 May 2017. On 23 February 2017, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) announced that arrangements had been concluded to transfer ownership of Canadian North directly into Inuvialuit Development Corporation.

Bradley Air Services, later operating under the trade name First Air, was founded by Canadian aviation pioneer Russel (Russ) Bradley, and started operations in 1946. Beginning as a flying school in Ottawa, Ontario, and moving in the fall of 1946 to Carp, Ontario, First Air started scheduled operations in 1973 between Ottawa and North Bay, Ontario. This service was operated with an eight-seat passenger plane.

In 1979, Bradley acquired the routes and some aircraft from Survair, which itself had taken over the smaller Arctic community routes from Nordair Arctic, which was itself derived from the main airline, Nordair. Future Bradley acquisitions included Ptarmigan Airways, and later NWT Air, both Yellowknife based.

On 28 September 2018, Makivvik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Corporate Group (ICG) signed a definitive agreement to merge Canadian North and First Air, again awaiting federal government approval. The new airline would use the new First Air livery, but would operate under the name "Canadian North". On 19 June 2019, the federal government gave approval to the merger provided several terms and conditions were met.

On 1 November 2019, First Air and Canadian North completed the merger and combined schedules into one, using the code 5T, dropping First Air's 7F code as well as the name but keeping the livery. In early 2021 the call signs "First Air" and "Empress" were retired and the combined airline began operating as 5T / AKT, call sign "Arctic."

As of 18 December 2021, operations are now under the Canadian North name with a new livery.

Canadian North confirmed in December 2022 that it was to retire its last Boeing 737-200 by early 2023, replacing it with turboprop aircraft with similar gravel runway capabilities. The aircraft made its last scheduled flight with passengers on 6 May 2023.

In 2024, Canadian North began an interline partnership with Air Greenland, with Canadian North providing timed connections for passengers travelling from Kuujjuaq, Montreal and Ottawa to Air Greenland's once-weekly flight between Nuuk and Iqaluit.

On 24 February 2025, Makivvik and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation announced that Canadian North was sold to Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corporation for $205 million; the sale was approved by regulatory authorities. On 2 July, it was announced that the transaction had been completed.