A new route is coming to Canada’s northern regions with the launch of Canadian North’s new Arctic Capital Express route. The new service is scheduled to launch on June 8, 2023 and will connect three Canadian provincial capitals.

Serving Canada’s Northern Communities

As the world’s second largest country by land size, Canada relies on air transportation to connect many of its remote areas. In addition to ten provinces in the southern portion of the country, Canada has three territories in the north. These territories pose some of the greatest transportation challenges in North America. The remoteness and small size of many northern Canadian communities makes commercial air transportation both expensive and essential.

Canadian North is an Inuit-owned airline that serves 25 communities throughout the territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, as well as major cities in the southern part of Canada. It operates a turboprop fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft and a jet fleet of Boeing 737 Classic and Next Generation aircraft. Not only does the carrier provide a link for residents and visitors to access the Canadian arctic, but it is also a lifeline for many communities, bringing essentials like food and medical supplies to Canada’s north.

The Arctic Capital Express

Canadian North has recently announced a new service called the Arctic Capital Express. The route is named after the destinations that it serves: Ottawa: Canada’s national capital, located in the province of Ontario, Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut and Yellowknife, which is the capital of the Northwest Territories — another Canadian territory

Given the nature of its network, much of Air North’s schedule varies throughout the week. The Arctic Capital Express is scheduled to operate in both directions on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on June 8, 2023, but there are some differences between the two days. Most notably, the Tuesday flights include an additional stop at Rankin Inlet in Nunavut.

On Tuesdays, flight 5T 118 is scheduled to depart from Yellowknife, Canada’s Airport at 10:00 a.m. and make stops at Rankin Inlet Airport and Iqaluit Airport before arriving at Ottawa, Canada’s Macdonald–Cartier International Airport at 9:00 p.m. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-300.

Additionally, on Tuesdays, the flight is scheduled to leave Ottawa’s Macdonald–Cartier International Airport at 9:40 a.m. and make stops at Iqaluit Airport and Rankin Inlet Airport before arriving at Yellowknife Airport at 4:35 p.m. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-400.

On Thursdays, flight 5T 118 is scheduled to depart from Yellowknife Airport at 11:00 a.m. and stop at Iqaluit Airport before arriving at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport at 9:00 p.m. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-400.

In addition, on Thursdays, flight 5T 119 is scheduled to leave Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport at 9:40 a.m. and stop at Iqaluit Airport before arriving at Yellowknife Airport at 3:20 p.m. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-300.

Canadian North’s Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft are configured in all-economy configurations. Some of these aircraft are also the Combi variant, allowing for flexible mixed cargo and passenger configurations. The airline’s passenger-only Boeing 737-300s have 136 seats and its passenger-only Boeing 737-400 has 156 seats.

The airline states that the new route will allow passengers to reach their destination in a single day, reducing the need for overnight stops. “We’re focused on improving northern air service, it is our mission to make life better in the communities we serve,” Michael Rodyniuk, President and CEO of Canadian North said, in a press release. “Our new Arctic Capital Express will help streamline travel and shipping.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

Latest posts by Andrew Chen (see all)

• JetBlue Introduces New Inflight Entertainment Platform - April 25, 2024
• FAA To Require More Rest Time for Air Traffic Controllers - April 19, 2024
• Inside Look: United Debuts America’s First Airline-Owned Early Baggage System - April 17, 2024