Rise Air said the ATR 72-600 marked the beginning of a new generation of northern air travel in Canada, starting in Saskatchewan. (Rise Air/Submitted)

By By Jacob Bamhour/CKOM

Aviation history

Rise Air receives Canada’s first ATR 72-600 aircraft

Dec 22, 2025 | 2:00 PM

A Saskatchewan airline made Canadian aviation history this week by taking delivery of a passenger aircraft that had never before operated in the country — a move that could reshape how workers travel to and from northern job sites.

Rise Air said the ATR 72-600 marked the beginning of a new generation of northern air travel in Canada, starting in Saskatchewan.

Rise Air received the first ATR 72-600 aircraft in Canada during a handover ceremony in Toulouse, France.

The larger turboprop is expected to begin flying northern Saskatchewan routes in early February, pending final Transport Canada approvals.

“It’s the first aircraft of its type in Canada,” said Dan Gold, Rise Air’s director of marketing and stakeholder relations. “Saskatchewan has done this ahead of any other province.”

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The ATR 72-600 represents a major step up from the smaller aircraft traditionally used in northern operations.

The plane increases passenger capacity from 44 to 68 seats while offering improved fuel efficiency, reduced cabin noise, and a more comfortable flight experience.

The aircraft was designed specifically for regional and remote flying, including short and gravel runways commonly found at northern airports and mine sites. (Rise Air/Submitted)

For the first time in Rise Air’s fleet, flights on the aircraft will also include two flight attendants.

The aircraft was designed specifically for regional and remote flying, including short and gravel runways commonly found at northern airports and mine sites.

Rise Air said the plane’s modern digital flight deck replaces older mechanical systems, improving reliability, safety and operational efficiency.

Carla Wayman, vice-president of flight operations, said bringing the aircraft into service required extensive preparation.

“Moving to this aircraft meant rewriting manuals, updating training programs and having everything approved through Transport Canada,” she said. “We’ve just gone through that entire process.”

Rise Air primarily serves northern Saskatchewan, including charter flights that transport mine workers to and from job sites. Gold said the larger aircraft will reduce the number of flights needed each day, easing congestion at airports like Prince Albert and improving overall operations.

“Instead of multiple smaller aircraft moving through the same airports each morning, this allows us to move people more efficiently,” Gold said. “That improves the experience for the people going to work and simplifies our operation.”

Despite the aircraft’s larger size, Wayman said no runway upgrades were required at northern airports or mine sites.

The plane is expected to arrive in Saskatoon in early January for final inspections, including an evacuation demonstration required by Transport Canada. Rise Air said it was targeting Feb. 5 for the aircraft’s inaugural flight. (Rise Air/Submitted)

“All of the locations we’ll be operating into already have the runway length we need,” she said. “Nothing had to change.”

The aircraft delivery followed a long-term agreement Rise Air announced earlier this year with northern employers Cameco and Orano. The 15-year deal, valued at up to $500 million, supports Rise Air’s fleet renewal strategy. The airline plans to add two more ATR 72 aircraft in the future.

The plane is expected to arrive in Saskatoon in early January for final inspections, including an evacuation demonstration required by Transport Canada. Rise Air said it was targeting Feb. 5 for the aircraft’s inaugural flight.

Beyond the operational upgrades, Gold said the aircraft symbolized something bigger for the company.

“Rise Air is 100 per cent Indigenous-owned, with investment from communities across northern Saskatchewan,” he said. “This shows our owners’ intent to build strong, made-in-Saskatchewan solutions and grow alongside the communities we serve.”