Northwestern Ontario's Bearskin Airlines Plays A Big Part In Our Air Service
Bearskin Airlines' roots are deep in the soil of Northern Ontario. Founded July 17, 1963, the company was named after a remote Northern Ontario community located about 270 miles northeast of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. "Maquan" is its name in the local native dialect. The company's namesake, Bearskin Lake, is drained by the Severn River, which flows into Hudson Bay, about 300km to the northeast.
The founder of Bearskin Lake Air Service, John Hegland, was a pilot and free trader. His aircraft, two Cessna 180's, CF-HJN and CF-JEN were the first to fly for Bearskin Lake Air Service. Henri Boulanger, Hegland's brother-in-law, joined by Bert Cone took over the company in 1965 and operated it for a number of years.
Harvey Friesen, originally from Warman, Sask., was a pilot for the company before becoming an owner. He purchased a 50% interest in the company in 1972. In 1977, Boulanger's shares in the company were bought out, giving the current President of Bearskin Airlines almost all company shares.
Cliff Friesen, Harvey's brother, purchased his interest in the company in 1978 and is currently the Executive Vice President. Other owners of Bearskin Airlines today are its Vice President of Operations, Karl Friesen (unrelated), Rick Baratta, Vice President of Finance and Brad Martin, Director of Operations.
Up until the late 70's, most of the aircraft operating in Ontario's north, including Bearskin's, were float equipped to handle the strong charter business north of Sioux Lookout. During the transitional periods of early winter freeze-up, and early spring break-up, neither float nor ski equipped aircraft services could be relied upon. This
prompted the government of Ontario to commence an extensive airfield construction program in Ontario's remote First Nations communities. Bearskin Airlines took advantage of this opportunity to offer scheduled air service with wheeled aircraft to more and more communities accessible only by air. For many years, Bearskin Airlines provided a vital link to more than 20 northern First Nation communities accessible
only by air.
Between 1972 and 1978 the company was primarily involved in providing charter services to the many remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. In 1977, the company began its first scheduled service, carrying passengers between Big Trout Lake and Sioux Lookout.
Between 1972 and 1978 the company was primarily involved in providing charter services to the many remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. In 1977, the company began its first scheduled service, carrying passengers between Big Trout Lake and Sioux Lookout.
In 1978 a base operation was established in Sioux Lookout, where the company constructed a hangar, maintenance and office facility. A second scheduled route was also launched that year, carrying passengers between Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay. Then, in 1980, the "Bear" began scheduled airline service linking Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Winnipeg. At this time, another base operation was established and Cliff Friesen moved to Thunder Bay to oversee that facility.
In the fall of 1988, Bearskin Airlines entered into a commercial agreement with Air Canada's connector carrier, Air Ontario. This agreement provided for a number of marketing opportunities that continue to benefit Bearskin's customers and all the carriers involved. Bearskins participation in Air Canada's Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program and joint fares with Air Canada are among the benefits of that
agreement.
1991 marked another year of major change and investment for the company, when it purchased two new Fairchild Metroliner aircraft. These 19 passenger pressurized aircraft offered greater speed, comfort and range, allowing Bearskin to enhance its service on existing markets as well as expand into new markets. Bearskin's customers were quick to accept this new aircraft.
In September 1992, using its newly acquired Metroliners, Bearskin launched nonstop service between Thunder Bay and Sudbury, Northern Ontario's two largest cities. This new service was the beginning of Bearskin Airlines' foray into Northeastern Ontario. At the time, Canadian Partner, a Canadian Airlines connector and
norOntair, a provincial government owned airline also served this market with an enroute stop in Sault Ste Marie. Frequent business travelers embraced the quality of Bearskin's nonstop Metroliner service and soon the "Bear" commanded the dominant market position.
In mid 2003 Bearskin offered over 200 departures daily to 38 destinations including more than 20 First Nations communities accessible only by air +450 employees using 4 aircraft types.
In the spring of 1993, Canadian Partner announced they would terminate service in what is commonly referred to as the "northern tier". Bearskin Airlines immediately announced its intention to link the cities of Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and Ottawa, the Nation's capital city. Two additional Fairchild Metroliners were acquired to provide the new service. This expansion meant Bearskin Airlines would compete head to head with government owned norOntairo Northern Ontario's five largest cities, as well as a number of smaller communities in Northwestern Ontario.
The inaugural issue of Bear Country Magazine was circulated in December 1994. Bear Country is Bearskin Airlines' own in-flight magazine. This high quality processed colour magazine allows Bearskin Airlines to communicate with its customers on a regular basis. Distributed four to five times annually in the seat back pockets on every aircraft, the articles speak about people, places and events in "Bear Country" and
seek to educate people about the markets served by Bearskin as well as promote tourism. Recognizing the continued importance of Bearskin's First Nations customers, one article each issue is translated to Oji-Cree.
In early 1996, the provincial government announced it would no longer subsidize norOntair to compete with the private sector. The O.N.T.C. (Ontario Northland Transportation Commission) announced its intention to terminate all scheduled air service operating as norOntair at the end of March 1996. Bearskin Airlines immediately announced its intention to expand its service between Fort Frances, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury and Timmins to fill the anticipated void.
Another Metroliner was acquired to provide the increased service.
In the spring of 1999, Bearskin ventured into Northern Manitoba, when service was offered between Winnipeg, and the northern communities of Flin Flon and The Pas. Three return flights each weekday now offer connections and joint fares to Air Canada in Winnipeg for the first time. Since Bearskin's entry to these markets, Canadian Airlines and Canadian Regional have withdrawn their service, leaving only Calm Air and the "Bear" to service Flin Flon and The Pas.
By the summer of 2003, Bearskin Airlines had expanded to include scheduled service to almost 40 destinations in Ontario and Manitoba.
The sale of the northern markets ( 22 communities accessible only by air) took place to Wasaya Airways in the summer of 2003 as combined with an industry that was impacted negatively due 9/11, the war in Iraq, SAARS and high fuel prices the restructuring of the company was required.
Today Bearskin Airlines has finalized most of the restructuring process and is continuing to move toward one aircraft type for maximum efficiency 19 seat Fairchild Metro. Bearskin is now serving 16 destinations offering over 100 departures daily - from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Ottawa including all of Northern Ontario's largest cities and many smaller communities.
Utilizing small gauge equipment, ideally suited for the thin routes served, Bearskin provides direct, high frequency, primetime morning, midday and evening service targeted to meet the time sensitive needs of the business traveller. Government, mining, forestry, medical & legal professionals and other business people make up the core market.
Other important customer segments include individuals travelling for medical treatment and to a lessor extent, VFR traffic (visiting friends & relatives) and seasonal tourists.
It's About Time! - Positioning statement - speaks to the value proposition offered by Bearskin Airlines to their core customers who are inclined to make a decision to fly Bearskin Airlines based on timesaving and convenience offered by efficient schedules. There is no faster way to travel between the cities served by Bearskin Airlines.
Schedules are designed to feature efficient connections with major jet operators between North-western Ontario communities and major business destinations including Toronto, Calgary & Vancouver via Bearskin Airlines' Thunder Bay and Winnipeg hubs.
Thunder Bay and Sudbury hubs facilitate connecting service between all Bearskin Airlines destinations and feature the most efficient travel between NW & NE Ontario including almost 35 departures daily between Northern Ontario's 5 largest cites and Ottawa. Non-stop and direct service between these key cities allows business travellers to avoid the congestion of Toronto's Person Terminal as well as inefficient
aircraft change & connections.
Since 1998, Bearskin Airlines has participated in Air Canada's Aeroplan frequent flyer program and offered joint fares with Air Canada.
Since 2005, Bearskin has been positioning itself to increase efficiencies and provide enhanced customer service by investing in the upgrading and integration of major systems and processes to keep pace with emerging technologies. In 2006 they finalized a number of system enhancements to improve service to our customers including:
Travel Bank, our full service online changes feature for personal and corporate customers, allowing for management of travel requirements online - including the ability to refund nonrefundable tickets to a "Travel Bank Account" for future use by anyone whom the original purchaser designates.
In the spring of 2006, Bearskin Airlines activated Interline E-ticketing with Air Canada and in Feb 07 with Northwest Airlines. Interline Electronic Ticketing provides for the issuance of electronic airline tickets for travel on multiple Airlines within the same ticketed itinerary. It eliminates the need to carry paper airline tickets or issue two separate E-Tickets when connecting between two airlines. This offers improved security by eliminating the potential for lost paper tickets. Communication between airlines regarding electronic ticket status also makes it easier for passengers to change plans while en route, especially for last minute change options and faster airport check-in. In addition, when connections are jeopardized due any reason, airlines involved in any part of the itinerary can easily reprotect passengers on each other's flights without penalty. This is the ultimate in convenience for passengers connecting between 2 airlines. No other airline the size of Bearskin offers IET in Ontario or Manitoba.
Also in 2006
New aircraft livery adopted to coincide with some new aircraft acquisitions whole fleet will receive new paint over next few years.
One additional 19 seat Fairchild Metroliner was put into service in July 2006 and a second was acquired in late 06 and will go into service in March 07.
Additional aircraft are being used to support expansion as follows:
New early morning service from Thunder Bay to Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Kenora that commenced in the fall of 05 on Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri was expanded to 5 days per week in 2006. An additional evening return flight was also expanded to 5 days per week from 4.
Additional service was added in the fall of 2006 between Thunder Bay-Sudbury-Ottawa-Sudbury-Thunder Bay
A new seasonal market (Lynn Lake) was successfully added in Manitoba between Jun-Sep. 2006 featuring the only same aircraft service offered from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
For the future at Bearskin Airlines look for a new website to be launched in spring 07. There will be capacity & schedule enhancements geared to changing demand. The company is always looking to enhance our service within the markets they serve as well as new markets.
