Nordair
Operator Identification
1947 to 1987
Canada
TYPE: Airline
IATA/ICAO CODES: ND / NDR
HEADQUARTERS: Montreal Dorval, Quebec
FORMER NAME: Boreal Airways & Mont-Laurier Aviation (merged 1947)
SUBSEQUENT NAME: Canadian Pacific Airlines (purchased 1986)
Operator History
Nordair was born in 1947 from the merger of Boreal Airways and Mont-Laurier Aviation, with Fernand Henley at its helm. Operations started with charter flights, both passengers and cargo. The Canadian Government was Nordair's largest customer, chartering their aircraft for its great north exploration program.
From July 1959, Nordair entered the scheduled passenger business, linking Montreal to Frobisher Bay, Roberval, Chibougamau and Fort Chimo. By 1969, a revision in the airline's operating permit forced it to adjust its network to focus on Eastern Canada and Northwest Territories. During the 1970's and 1980's, Nordair formed an alliance with First Air and state-owned NorOntair to serve secondary destinations from Dryden, Nanisivik, Hall Beach and Frobisher Bay. By 1979, Nordair's scheduled network was at its peak, reaching as far west as Winnipeg, as far north as Resolute Bay, and as far south as Pittsburgh, PA.
By the mid-1980's, the Canadian airline market entered a merger period. In early 1986, Nordair purchased Quebecair, but it ended up being purchased by Canadian Pacific Air Lines at the end of the same year. In March 1987, Pacific Western Airlines in turn purchased Canadian Pacific and changed its name to Canadian Airlines. Nordair's jets ended up with Canadian, witle the propeller aircraft were sent to the regional subsidiary Inter-Canadian. Canadian was purchased by Air Canada in 2001.
Commando Operations
August 1961* to September 1971*
Last edited: 09/12/2023