The history of Northwestern Air dates back to 1946 when it was founded in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airline was founded by a group of aviation enthusiasts from the region and was initially set up as a charter service. Since then, the airline has grown to become one of the largest regional carriers in Canada, serving destinations across the country and into the United States.
The airline's original fleet consisted of a single De Havilland Goose seaplane. The Goose was used to provide charter services to isolated communities in the Northwest Territories and other remote parts of Canada. The airline also operated a fleet of Piper Super Cubs and other small aircraft.
In the early 1950s, Northwestern Air expanded its fleet and began offering scheduled services to larger communities in the Northwest Territories, as well as to some destinations in Alberta and British Columbia. By the end of the decade, the airline had grown to include a fleet of more than 20 aircraft. During this period, the airline also began offering international services to destinations in Alaska and the United States.
In the late 1960s, Northwestern Air acquired its first jet aircraft, the Boeing 707. This allowed the airline to begin offering transcontinental services between Canada and the United States. The airline also opened its first base at the Edmonton International Airport in Alberta.
In the 1970s, the airline began to expand its operations even further. It opened new routes to Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and acquired additional Boeing 707s. The airline also began offering cargo services and added the Boeing 747 to its fleet.
The 1980s saw Northwestern Air continue to expand its operations. The airline opened a new hub in Toronto and began offering services to Asia and South America. The airline also acquired additional aircraft, including the Douglas DC-10 and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80. In 1988, the airline acquired its first Boeing 757 and began offering services to the United States.
In the 1990s, Northwestern Air experienced a period of rapid growth. The airline opened new routes across Canada and the United States, and acquired additional Boeing 757s and Airbus A320s. In 1997, the airline opened its first base in the United States, at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
The 2000s saw the airline continue to grow, with the addition of new routes and aircraft. In 2003, the airline acquired its first wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A330. In 2006, the airline opened its first base in Europe, at the London Heathrow Airport.
Throughout its history, Northwestern Air has been associated with some major incidents. In July 1995, one of the airline's Boeing 767s crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut, killing 12 people. In 1998, the airline was the subject of a federal investigation after reports of widespread safety violations at its Edmonton base.
Despite these incidents, Northwestern Air has continued to grow and evolve over the years. Today, the airline operates a fleet of more than 50 aircraft and serves more than 150 destinations around the world. It has become one of the most successful and respected regional carriers in Canada and is well-known for its excellent safety record.
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