Business History of Wasaya Airways
In the late 1980’s Wasaya Airways expanded from a floatplane operation to a turbine fleet operation. The focus was charter and freight business which was centered out of Pickle Lake, Ontario, with the administration offices located in Thunder Bay.
In 1995, Wasaya Airways expanded into Scheduled Passenger Service, while still maintaining the charter and freighting business. In 1999, Wasaya Airways transitioned the Scheduled Passenger Service into a Scheduled Charter Service concept.
Read moreIn July 2000, Wasaya Airways LP, as part of its restructuring process relocated and centralized its administration offices, including Flight Operations, Maintenance and Charter Sales to new premises at the Fort William First Nation.
Since 2001, Wasaya Airways has successfully gained new partnerships with various organizations with the purpose of providing contract transportation services. The services offered range from providing transportation to employees to their work sites in First Nation communities to flying in tourists to enjoy a week’s stay at a fishing lodge.
In June 2001, Wasaya Airways and Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) entered into an agreement to provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective air transportation to students, families and NNEC Staff.
Read moreIn September 2002, Wasaya Airways acquired the Kelner Pilatus Center Hangar at the Thunder Bay International Airport and in turn centralized the Maintenance department and personnel.
Read moreIn July 2003, Wasaya Airways purchased some of the Northern Assets of Bearskin Airlines from Sioux Lookout and Red Lake north. This saw Wasaya Airways enter back into the Scheduled Passenger business with service to 21 First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario.
Read moreIn April 2018, Wasaya Airways, owned 100% by 12 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario entered into an agreement with the Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) whereby EIC recapitalized Wasaya and the Wasaya shareholders exchanged a portion of their interests in Wasaya for shares of EIC.
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