Aklak Air is one of the largest and oldest airlines in Canada, having been in operation since 1961. Initially a regional carrier operating in the Northwest Territories, it has since become the largest carrier in the country, transporting more than seven million passengers per year to destinations in the US, Europe, and Asia.
The airline was founded by brothers John and Joe Aklak, who first began operating flights between Yellowknife and Inuvik in the Northwest Territories in 1961. Initially, the airline only operated a single Douglas DC-3 aircraft, but over the years, the fleet has grown to include a variety of aircraft, including the Boeing 737, the Airbus A320, and the Bombardier Dash 8-300.
The airline's first major milestone came in 1969, when Aklak Air purchased its first jet aircraft, a Boeing 727. This allowed the airline to expand its services to other parts of Canada and to the United States. The airline continued to expand through the 1970s and 1980s, adding new aircraft to its fleet and launching new routes in both Canada and the United States.
In 1988, Aklak Air became the first Canadian airline to launch international flights, with service to London, Paris, and Tokyo. In the 1990s, the airline continued to expand its international operations, launching new routes to cities in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Another major milestone for Aklak Air occurred in 2003, when the airline launched its first transatlantic flights. This allowed passengers to fly directly between Canada and Europe, and the airline quickly became a major player in the transatlantic market.
In 2011, the airline celebrated its 50th anniversary and launched a major expansion, adding new routes to Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In 2013, Aklak Air became the first Canadian airline to fly to China, with direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai.
Despite its success, Aklak Air has had its share of challenges. In 1986, one of the airline's aircraft was involved in a crash in Whitehorse, Yukon, killing all 10 people onboard. In 2009, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation after it was revealed that the airline had falsified maintenance records. The airline was fined $1.6 million for the incident.
In the years since its founding, Aklak Air has grown from a regional carrier to one of the largest and most successful airlines in Canada. With its fleet of more than 80 aircraft and its network of more than 100 destinations, Aklak Air continues to be a major player in the Canadian aviation industry.
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