Great North Airlines
About
Great North Airlines is a Canadian airline operating under CAR 705, the Transport Canada subpart governing larger scheduled and charter aeroplane operations. Since 2020 the airline has specialized in essential missions for federal and provincial government agencies, NGOs, First Nations, and local community authorities, alongside domestic and international ACMI operations — delivering Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance capacity for airline partnerships.
The fleet pairs CRJ regional jets with Dash 8-100, Dash 8-100 Combi, and Dash 8-300 turboprops, maintained to exceed Transport Canada standards and operated with a comprehensive Safety Management System. The airline flies from bases at Toronto (Mississauga) and the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Kitchener.
In July 2026 Great North pilots ratified a new two-year collective agreement with ALPA that the airline reports delivers the highest top-of-scale captain compensation in Canadian regional aviation on comparable aircraft types. Great North is a member of the Air Transport Association of Canada, the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, with a stated commitment to First Nations relationships and local employment.
What they do
Essential / emergency missions
Mission-critical aviation for government and emergency response, including service to First Nations and remote communities.
ACMI / CPA
Turnkey aircraft operations and capacity purchase agreements for airline partnerships, domestic and international.
Resource sector transport
Crew rotations and fly-in/fly-out transport for mining, energy, and remote operations.
Contract & group charter
Long-term agreements and block-hour purchases, plus group charter for sports teams and special events, and aircraft management.
Our leaders engaged here
Benjamin Thomas
Chief Technology Officer
Christine Shiomi
Chief Operating Officer
Katherine Ayre
General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of airline is Great North Airlines?
- Great North Airlines is a Transport Canada certified CAR 705 airline, operating since 2020, that specializes in essential and emergency missions for government agencies, NGOs, and First Nations communities, as well as ACMI capacity for airline partners.
- What aircraft does Great North Airlines operate?
- Great North Airlines operates CRJ regional jets seating 50 passengers and Dash 8 turboprops — the Dash 8-100, Dash 8-100 Combi, and Dash 8-300 — covering 21 to 50 seats depending on configuration.
- Where is Great North Airlines based?
- Great North Airlines operates from two Ontario bases: Toronto International Centre in Mississauga and the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Kitchener.
Great North Airlines is part of the Flight Level Partners company directory — the operators and organizations our leaders are engaged with. Read why fractional leadership took hold in business aviation, or browse the leaders in the network.