Canada’s Northway Aviation has expanded its offering of essential services to the residents of Manitoba by acquiring SkyNorth Air, following investment from private equity and venture capital funder Westcap. Northway’s management team retains a significant equity position in the company.

A six-decade-old leading regional Canadian aviation company, Northway provides remote Manitoba and Ontario communities with 11,000 annual scheduled chartered passenger flights and freight transportation services. The company serves as the transportation partner of choice for more than 15 communities and First Nations, including Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids, Poplar River, Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake and Deer Lake. Northway has earned a strong reputation for industry-leading safety, reliability and service supported by a team of more than 80 highly skilled and dedicated staff members who oversee a fleet of nine aircraft, which includes Cessna Caravans, Cessna Grand Caravans and Pilatus PC-12s.

SkyNorth is a 20-year-old dedicated air ambulance provider operating from three strategically located hangar facilities in Winnipeg, Thompson and Garden Hill/Island Lake, Manitoba. SkyNorth transports patients requiring time-sensitive and critical medical attention from remote communities to hospitals in Winnipeg and Thompson. With a team of over 65 employees, which includes numerous experienced and highly tenured healthcare and aviation professionals, the company has a fleet of eight fixed-wing aircraft, comprising Mitsubishi MU2 and King Air types, and is committed to maintaining its strong safety culture.

President and CEO of Northway Chris Mellen states: “Our long-standing relationships with northern communities and commitment to the essential needs of its residents made this expansion opportunity a logical next step. Having a financial and strategic partner like Westcap become a part of our organisation less than one year ago has been instrumental in this growth.”

Westcap president and CEO Grant J. Kook adds: “The combination of two great companies with strong management teams that will stay actively involved and invested alongside us to provide essential services to the residents of Manitoba while creating operating efficiencies in our joint facilities, staff and a combined fleet of 17 aircraft makes for an exciting growth opportunity and future.”