Air Tindi Suspends Wha Ti Flights, Leaving Community Isolated
Air Tindi (8T, Yellowknife) has suspended its scheduled air service between Yellowknife and Wha Ti/Lac La Martre, leaving the remote First Nations community in Canada’s Northwest Territories without any commercial airline connection. The carrier announced that the 3x weekly flights would cease on October 12 and remain suspended “until further notice,” according to local outlet Cabin Radio.
The decision marks a significant setback for Wha Ti residents, who depend on regular air links for essential travel, medical appointments, mail delivery, and cargo transport. With no road access for much of the year, air service plays a critical role in connecting the community to the territorial capital.
Air Tindi President Chris Reynolds explained that the route had become financially unsustainable due to declining passenger numbers and reduced freight volumes. “We’ve lost a quarter of a million dollars trying to basically subsidize the route over the last four years,” Reynolds said. “We simply can’t continue operating at that loss. Unless something changes, it is suspended for now.”
The airline began serving Wha Ti four years ago as part of its broader mission to improve connectivity across the Northwest Territories’ remote regions. However, demand never reached the levels needed to justify ongoing operations. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with shifting travel patterns and economic challenges in the area, likely exacerbated the decline.
Community leaders have expressed concern over the loss of regular flights, citing the potential impact on emergency travel and supply deliveries. Discussions are reportedly underway with territorial authorities to explore potential subsidies or alternative arrangements to restore air connectivity.
Air Tindi, headquartered in Yellowknife, operates a diverse fleet well suited for northern operations, including seven De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters, twelve DHC-7 Dash 7s, one wet-leased DHC-8-300, two Beechcraft B300s, three King Air B200GTs, and one Cessna 208. The airline remains a key provider of charter, medevac, and scheduled services across the region.
The suspension of Wha Ti service underscores the economic fragility of air routes serving Canada’s remote communities, where limited demand and high operating costs often threaten long-term sustainability. Without government support or local partnerships, small carriers like Air Tindi face growing pressure to balance community service with financial viability.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com