About Air Inuit
Air Inuit: The Wing of the North’s Inuit People
Founded in 1978, Air Inuit is a 100% Inuit-owned airline operated by Makivik Corporation, born out of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Based in Montréal–Trudeau with key hubs in Kuujjuaq, it stands as a central force connecting remote communities across Nunavik, southern Quebec, and Nunavut.
Bridging Vast Northern Distances
With a network spanning 21 destinations, Air Inuit operates 7,000 flights annually, carrying over 150,000 passengers and 12 million kilograms of cargo—including food, fuel, and building supplies. Services include scheduled, charter, cargo, medevac, and emergency flights, making travel and essential logistics possible in areas no longer reachable by road year-round.
Fleet Crafted for Northern Challenges
The airline maintains a 34-plane fleet suited to Arctic conditions. It includes:
De Havilland Dash‑8 turboprops (both Dash-8-100/300 combi and cargo variants)
DHC‑6 Twin Otters, ideal for gravel runways
Boeing 737‑200/300 combi jets, equipped with gravel kits and adaptable for cargo-heavy missions
King Air 350 and DHC‑3 Otters for charter and medevac services.
A modern fleet upgrade is underway: starting in 2023, Air Inuit began phasing out its iconic 737‑200s in favor of 737‑800 Combi aircraft.
Driven by Inuit Culture & Community
As a community-owned airline, Air Inuit actively promotes Inuit employment—about 30% of its workforce is Inuit, including pilots, engineers, and ground staff. The airline also publishes Inuit Magazine, showcasing northern culture, community stories, and regional initiatives.
Safety, Sustainability & Innovation
Air Inuit prioritizes passenger safety with advanced management systems while innovating cold-weather operations, such as experiments with runway-hardening agents on gravel strips to support newer jets. They were early adopters of cargo-ready Dash‑8 freighters and were the launch customer for Bombardier’s Q300 Large Cargo Door aircraft.
Why Air Inuit Matters
Key Feature: Benefit
Inuit-owned heritage: Supports economic development and cultural preservation
Specialized fleet: Operates reliably in extreme Arctic conditions
Comprehensive region-wide service: Offers scheduled, charter, cargo & medevac flights
Modernizing for the future: Upgrading fleet and investing in innovative logistics
Air Inuit isn’t just an airline—it’s the lifeblood of Canada’s North. Whether you're flying to remote hamlets for work, family, or adventure, Air Inuit offers you a safe, community-centered journey, steeped in tradition and focused on sustainable growth.