Air Creebec
Canadian regional airline
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Air Creebec Inc. is a Cree-owned regional airline based in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada.[7] It operates scheduled and charter services to 16[5] destinations in Quebec and Ontario. Its main base is Val-d'Or Airport, with a hub at Timmins Victor M. Power Airport.[8]
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| Founded | 1982 | ||||||
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| AOC # | 8982[3] | ||||||
| Hubs | Val-d'Or Airport Montréal–Trudeau International Airport Waskaganish Airport | ||||||
| Secondary hubs | Timmins Victor M. Power Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Aeroplan | ||||||
| Fleet size | 21[4] | ||||||
| Destinations | 16[5] | ||||||
| Parent company | Cree Regional Economic Enterprises Company (CREECO) | ||||||
| Headquarters | Val-d'Or, Quebec | ||||||
| Key people | Tanya Pash (President)[6] | ||||||
| Founder | Billy Diamond | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
As part of its charter operations, the airline operates a medical charter service in conjunction with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay to provide access to medical specialists and services in the South to Quebec Cree.[6]
History
The airline was established in June 1982 and started operations on 1 July 1982. Billy Diamond, first and former Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Cree is credited with the founding of the airline.[9]
At that time the Cree owned 51% of the company and Austin Airways owned the remaining 49%. In 1988 the Cree purchased all the airline assets in the largest commercial deal to that date performed by any Indigenous group in Canada, making Air Creebec owned entirely by the Cree.[10]
According to Cree sources, during negotiations to launch the airline, Premier of Quebec René Lévesque muttered "Indians don't run airlines, Billy", to which founder Billy Diamond replied "Well, this Indian is going to."[9][11]
On 23 March 2012, Air Creebec discontinued its service to La Grande Rivière Airport.[12]
In 2023 the airline appointed its first female CEO Tanya Pash, succeeding outgoing CEO Matthew Happyjack. Prior to her appointment Pash served as COO for 10 years.[6]
Destinations
Air Creebec operates services to the following Canadian domestic scheduled destinations (as of August 2019):[5]
| Province | Community | IATA | ICAO | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Attawapiskat First Nation | YAT | CYAT | Attawapiskat Airport |
| Fort Albany First Nation | YFA | CYFA | Fort Albany Airport | |
| Kashechewan First Nation | ZKE | CZKE | Kashechewan Airport | |
| Moosonee | YMO | CYMO | Moosonee Airport | |
| Peawanuck | YPO | CYPO | Peawanuck Airport | |
| Timmins | YTS | CYTS | Timmins Victor M. Power Airport | |
| Quebec | Chibougamau | YMT | CYMT | Chibougamau/Chapais Airport |
| Chisasibi | YKU | CSU2 | Chisasibi Airport | |
| Eastmain | ZEM | CZEM | Eastmain River Airport | |
| Kuujjuarapik | YGW | CYGW | Kuujjuarapik Airport | |
| Montreal | YUL | CYUL | Montréal–Trudeau International Airport | |
| Nemaska | YNS | CYHH | Nemiscau Airport | |
| Val-d'Or | YVO | CYVO | Val-d'Or Airport | |
| Waskaganish | YKQ | CYKQ | Waskaganish Airport | |
| Wemindji | YNC | CYNC | Wemindji Airport |
Interline agreements
Fleet
As of 1 February 2026[update] Transport Canada listed 21 aircraft, Air Creebec listed the types but not numbers:[4][14]
| Aircraft | No. of aircraft | Variants | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR-GIE (ATR 72) | 1 | ATR 72-212A | Cargo only[14] | |
| de Havilland Canada Dash 8 | 20 | 11 - DHC-8-102 1 - DHC-8-103 6 - DHC-8-106 2 - DHC-8-314 | Some Series 100 are freighter only, while the others can carry up to 37 passengers and the Series 300 can carry 50 passengers[14] | |
| Total | 21 | |||
Affinity programs
The airline offers Aeroplan rewards points, both to collect and to redeem.
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