AIR NORTH (YUKON AIR SERVICES): United States (19671984). Based at Fairbanks, Yukon Air Services, employing the marketing name Air North (Yukon Services), but also known as Fairbanks Air Service and Air North (Alaska) is formed at Whitehorse in 1967 by Joseph Sparling and Tom Wood to undertake Cessna 206 passenger and cargo flights throughout Alaska and into northern Canada. The majority of this service is charter; however, following the company’s name change in early 1976, a scheduled route is operated to Fort Yukon.
Operations continue apace during 1977-1978 and new destinations are added: Arctic Village, Birch Creek, Eagle, Galena, and other central Alaskan bush communities. The fleet grows to include Beech 18s, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders and BN-2A Trislanders, Piper PA-31-310 Nava-jos, and a Fairchild Hiller FH-227C. As the result of regulatory difficulties, the FAA cancels the company’s certificate in 1979.
After spending 1980 putting its administrative house back in order and securing new financing, the Fairbanks-based regional is able to resume operations in March 1981, with its fleet upgraded to include 2 Cessna 206s, 3 Cessna 207s, 1 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, 2 Cessna 402s, 3 Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders, 1 BN-2A Trislander, 3 Douglas DC-3s, and 1 Curtiss C-46. The fleet is increased in 1982 by the addition of several de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers and DHC-3 Otters. During the year, a total of 20,432 passengers and 128,417 pounds of freight are flown.
The fleet by 1983 has come to comprise 2 Douglas DC-3s, 1 Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, 1 Curtiss C-46, 2 Cessna 206s, 3 Cessna 207s, 1 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, and 2 Cessna 402s. In addition to the points previously served in its scheduled operation, the carrier now starts routes to such Alaskan towns and villages as Wiseman, Umist, Stevens Village, Tanana, Nenana, Rampart, Eagle, Chanadalar, Circle, Central, Birch Creek, Nettles, Barter Island, and Allskaket. The Yukon cities of Dawson and Whitehorse are also visited. Bookings for the year total 29,791.
World History
