Wasaya Airways facts for kids
A Hawker Siddeley HS 748 parked in front of the Red Lake hangar
|
|
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| AOC # | 11802 |
| Hubs | Thunder Bay International Airport Sioux Lookout Airport |
| Secondary hubs | Red Lake Airport Pickle Lake Airport |
| Fleet size | 17 |
| Destinations | 24 |
| Parent company | Wasaya Group Inc. |
| Headquarters | Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| Key people | Paul Disley (President and CEO) |
Wasaya Airways LP is an airline based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It is owned by First Nations communities. The airline's main bases are the Thunder Bay International Airport and the Sioux Lookout Airport. Wasaya Airways also flies from Red Lake Airport and Pickle Lake Airport.
The name "Wasaya" comes from the Oji-Cree language. It means "it is bright," like the rising sun. Wasaya Airways helps connect many remote communities in Ontario. They fly people, but also deliver important things like food, clothes, and building supplies. In 2003, Wasaya Airways took over routes to remote First Nations communities from Bearskin Airlines.
Contents
The Story of Wasaya Airways
Wasaya Airways started in 1989. Back then, it was called Kelner Airways. In 1993, the airline changed its name to Wasaya.
Over the years, the airline has grown a lot. It began with just floatplanes, which are planes that can land on water. Now, it offers both regular flights for passengers and special charter flights.
The airline has its own magazine called Sagatay. This magazine is made with the Wawatay Native Communications Society. In October 2010, Wasaya Airways bought a new De Havilland Canada Dash 8 plane to make its fleet stronger.
Where Wasaya Airways Flies
Wasaya Airways serves many places in Ontario. They fly to several remote communities. Many of these communities are owned by the First Nations groups that also own the airline.
Regular Flights
Here are some of the places Wasaya Airways flies to regularly in Ontario:
- Bearskin Lake First Nation (Bearskin Lake Airport)
- Deer Lake First Nation (Deer Lake Airport)
- Fort Severn First Nation (Fort Severn Airport)
- Kasabonika Lake First Nation (Kasabonika Airport)
- Keewaywin First Nation (Keewaywin Airport)
- Kingfisher First Nation (Kingfisher Lake Airport)
- Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (Big Trout Lake) (Big Trout Lake Airport)
- Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation (Muskrat Dam Airport)
- Nibinamik First Nation (Summer Beaver) (Summer Beaver Airport)
- North Spirit Lake First Nation (North Spirit Lake Airport)
- Pickle Lake (Pickle Lake Airport), a place for cargo flights
- Pikangikum First Nation (Pikangikum Airport)
- Poplar Hill First Nation (Poplar Hill Airport)
- Red Lake (Red Lake Airport), a main base
- Sandy Lake First Nation (Sandy Lake Airport)
- Sioux Lookout (Sioux Lookout Airport), a main base
- Thunder Bay (Thunder Bay International Airport), a main base
- Wapekeka First Nation (Angling Lake/Wapekeka Airport)
- Wunnumin Lake First Nation (Wunnumin Lake Airport)
Wasaya Airways Fleet
As of March 2024, Wasaya Airways has 17 aircraft. These planes are registered with Transport Canada.
| Aircraft | Number of planes TC |
Types | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42 | 1 | ATR 42-320 | Not listed on Wasaya Airways website | |
| ATR 72 | 2 | ATR 72-212 | Not listed on Wasaya Airways website | |
| Beechcraft 1900 | 6 | 1900D | Can seat up to 18 people, used for regular and charter flights | |
| Cessna 208 | 1 | 208B Grand Caravan | Can seat up to 9 people, used for flights, charters, and cargo | |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8 | 2 | DHC-8-102 / DHC-8-314 | Can seat up to 37 people for passenger flights, or used only for cargo | |
| Hawker Siddeley HS 748 | 4 | 748 Series 2A | Used for cargo and fuel charters only, no passengers | |
| Pilatus PC-12 | 1 | PC-12/45 | Can seat up to 9 people, used for flights, charters, and cargo | |
| Total | 17 | |||
Aviation Safety Events
Aviation safety is very important. Here are some past events involving Wasaya Airways aircraft.
- On September 11, 2003, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (Wasaya Airways Flight 125) crashed. This happened near Summer Beaver. Sadly, all eight people on board passed away. The flight was going from Pickle Lake to Summer Beaver Airport. The plane crashed about 3 miles northwest of the runway. Investigators could not find the exact cause of the crash.
- On June 12, 2012, a Wasaya Airways Hawker Siddeley HS 748 caught fire. This happened while the plane was unloading jet fuel at Sandy Lake Airport. No one was hurt in this event. The aircraft was badly damaged by the fire.
- On December 11, 2015, Wasaya Airways Flight 127 crashed. This was a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. The plane was flying from Pickle Lake Airport to Angling Lake/Wapekeka Airport. It crashed about 10 miles north of Pickle Lake Airport. The pilot was the only person on board and passed away. The likely reasons for the crash included flying in icy conditions, even though the plane was not allowed to do so. Also, the plane's weight was high, which made it harder to fly in the ice.
Images for kids
-
Two Beechcraft 1900Ds of Wasaya Airways at Sioux Lookout Airport
-
Pilatus PC-12 of Wasaya Airways at Pickle Lake Airport
-
Cessna 208B C-FKAD in Red Lake
