Canada's first Indigenous woman-owned airline to launch from YVR

Iskwew Air. (Vancouver International Airport)

A new charter-only service airline will take flight next year as Canada’s first Indigenous woman-owned airline.

Iskwew Air made its announcement on Friday that it will begin its service starting in March 2019 from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal, where YVR’s charter-only airlines and regional routes are clustered.

The airline, using small passenger aircraft, will run routes to remote communities across Western Canada and help bolster Indigenous tourism.

“Iskwew Air has been a vision of mine for many years and it is very important to me that Iskwew Air begins in a good way by seeking the permission and approval of the Musqueam people before operations begin,” said Teara Fraser, Iskwew Air CEO, who is an experienced piot, in a statement.

“My homeland in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, is a fly-in-fly-out community, and I know how important connection and accessible transportation options are for remote communities. Iskwew Air will provide services to communities like these and lead the industry by championing Indigenous people and culture.”

Iskwew Air. (Vancouver International Airport)

Fraser says she has extensive commercial aviation experience, having developed, owned, and operated Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., which she recently sold to enable her to focus on this new business. She also provided strategic and advisory services to commercial airlines and served on the BC Aviation Council for the last seven years in various senior leadership capacities.

“We are excited to partner with Iskwew Air and look forward to what the future holds for this new airline,” says Anne Murray, Vice President, Airline Business Development and Public Affairs at YVR.

“Teara is a leader in the industry with a bold vision for the airline and has been involved in many successful aviation ventures throughout the years. It is our pleasure to work with her and Iskwew Air.”

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