History

History

The Beginnings 1997-2011

North Star Air(NSA) took flight in 1997 with two single engine De Havilland Beavers on floats.  In cooperation with its sister company Canoe Frontier, NSA flew paddlers and fisherman into Ontario's last frontier north of Pickle Lake.  The addition of a DHC-3 Turbo-Otter and a Cessna Caravan quickly followed, and in 2001 the carrier shifted from water to land by relocating to Pickle Lake Airport, enabling year-round service.  NSA acquired Canada Direct in 2005 bringing the first Pilatus PC-12 to their fleet and added a Cessna Grand Caravan shortly after, to keep pace with rising cargo demand, setting the stage for a hybrid passenger-freight operation that would underpin the airline's next era.

Growing Years 2012-2016

In 2012 veteran aviator and airline builder Frank Kelner joined the North Star Air team, under his leadership NSA embarked on an ambitious expansion plan to improve reliability and competitiveness in the industry.  This plan included the creation of a separate dedicated cargo carrier, Cargo North, the world's first Basler BT-67 operator devoted to high-frequency short-haul freight and fuel deliveries.

During this period, revenue-sharing agreements with Muskrat Dam and Sachigo Lake (2013) were established as both the NSA and Cargo North fleets grew.  NSA also initiated it's FlexFlight Passenger Flights, a first-of-its-kind service that offered the regularity of a scheduled service, while adapting to the needs of the communities by amending routings as required to facilitate inter-community travel and ensure seat availability. As NSA continued to expand, they shifted their headquarters to Thunder Bay and opened a new base in Red Lake(2014). In 2016 NSA and Cargo North merged into a single, fully integrated northern airline poised for its next leap. By the end of 2016, NSA had introduced competition to both passenger and cargo sectors in Northern Ontario.

NWC Acquisition 2017-2024

In June 2017, The North West Company acquired North Star Air, unlocking the capital needed for larger Dash 8-100/300 passenger aircraft, ATR 72-500 freighters, and a new Thompson, MB base that extended service across Manitoba and into Nunavut.

In 2020 NSA strengthened its leadership when Chairman/CEO Frank Kelner announced the appointment of Jeff Stout as President and COO.  Collectively Frank, Jeff and Vice President Tom Meilleur comprise the core management that, along with an experienced senior team have established North Star Air as a leading Canadian airline servicing remote communities across multiple provinces and territories. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NSA was a leader in ensuring the vital lifeline to non-road access communities was maintained, continuing essential passenger flights while ensuring cargo services increased with the higher demands for timely food and medical supply deliveries. Additionally, NSA became the first airline in Canada to introduce complimentary COVID screening for all passengers, playing a role in keeping COVID out of the north.

Keep Climbing 2025 & Beyond

Today North Star Air's growing fleet connects more than 54 remote communities, employs over 300 people, and has returned $11 million in revenue to 12 First Nation partners. North Star Air has begun an exciting new chapter with the move into a new Thunder Bay Headquarters. This 37,000 sq ft consolidated hub will centralize its passenger, cargo and maintenance operations, in turn greatly increasing operational efficiency. This state-of-the-art aviation facility features Its very own passenger terminal, short and long-term parking, and an enhanced cold chain with large drive-in coolers and freezers in the new cargo facility greatly increasing the capability to provide critical food and medical supplies to partner communities.  The new headquarters facility reinforces North Star Air's commitment to the communities it serves and to  safe, reliable northern aviation for decades to come.

North Star Air is the recipient of the 2019 Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Large Business Excellence Award and the 2019 NOBA Company of the Year (51+) Award.