Air Tindi
Air Tindi is a Yellowknife-based northern Canadian airline providing scheduled, charter, medevac, and specialized remote-community air services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Air Tindi is a regional airline headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, with its principal base at Yellowknife Airport. Established in 1988 by the Arychuk families, the company developed in response to the transportation requirements of northern communities, mining exploration projects, government agencies, and customers requiring aircraft capable of operating from short, remote, float, or ski-equipped airstrips. Its name is derived from the Tłı̨chǫ Yatiì language and refers to the Great Slave Lake, also known as the big lake. The airline began operations with four float- and ski-equipped aircraft. Its first major expansion came in 1990, when it acquired a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter with assistance from the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation. The Twin Otter's short takeoff and landing capability allowed Air Tindi to serve a broader range of northern locations and to support the growing mineral exploration sector. In 1991, Air Tindi merged with Latham Island Airways and obtained additional aircraft through the transaction. By the middle of 1992, it was operating four Twin Otters on floats. Air Tindi subsequently added larger aircraft for freight and resource-sector work. A de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou entered service in 1993 for mining-industry resupply operations, followed by a de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 in 1996. Over time, the airline's activities have included scheduled passenger transportation, on-demand charter flights, cargo and resupply work, corporate and government aviation, and medevac services. It provides medevac coverage in the Northwest Territories and has also participated in contracted medical evacuation services in Nunavut. The company was sold on 19 December 2006 to Discovery Air, a publicly traded Canadian aviation holding company. The founding family members initially continued in roles at Air Tindi, but subsequent corporate disagreements resulted in Alex Arychuk leaving the presidency and the Discovery Air board. Publicly available reference material does not establish the airline's current ownership structure, financial performance, or complete present-day fleet with sufficient certainty, so those details are not stated here. Air Tindi operates in an environment where aviation is particularly important because of the Northwest Territories' large distances, low population density, severe seasonal conditions, and limited year-round road access between many communities. Its business model therefore combines conventional regional airline activity with highly specialized northern operations. In December 2024, after Northwestern Air announced the discontinuation of its scheduled flights, Air Tindi agreed to assume the affected Yellowknife–Fort Smith–Fort Chipewyan–Edmonton service and announced plans to acquire two Dash 8 aircraft for the route. This decision broadened its scheduled-airline role while preserving its established focus on northern connectivity.
History
Air Tindi was founded in 1988 in the Northwest Territories by two Arychuk couples: Alex and Sheila Arychuk, and Peter and Teri Arychuk. The airline began flying on 1 November 1988 with four aircraft equipped for float or ski operations, reflecting the practical requirements of northern aviation, where conventional paved airports are not always available and seasonal operating conditions can vary substantially. In 1990, Air Tindi purchased its first turboprop, a short-takeoff-and-landing-capable de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. The purchase was supported by the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation and helped the airline expand its service capacity, particularly for the growing mining exploration industry. The Twin Otter became an important platform for operations in remote areas because of its ability to use relatively short runways and, when configured appropriately, water or snow landing surfaces. Air Tindi merged with Latham Island Airways in 1991 and acquired four additional aircraft through that combination. By mid-1992, the airline was operating four Twin Otters on floats. It expanded into larger-aircraft operations in 1993 by acquiring a DHC-4 Caribou for mining-industry resupply work. In 1996, it added a DHC-7 Dash 7, another aircraft designed for short-field operations. The company was sold on 19 December 2006 to Discovery Air, a Canadian publicly traded aviation holding company. The founders initially retained their positions at Air Tindi, but disagreements within the corporate structure led to Alex Arychuk's departure from the presidency and from Discovery Air's board. Air Tindi's service portfolio has included scheduled flights, on-demand charters, cargo and industrial support, and medical evacuation. In August 2011, the Government of Nunavut announced that Air Tindi and Aqsaqniq had been selected to provide medevac services for Nunavut's Kitikmeot Region. The previous provider, Adlair Aviation, appealed the award; the appeal was dismissed in late October, and Adlair's existing contract was extended through the end of November. Air Tindi also provides medevac services throughout the Northwest Territories. The airline has experienced several serious accidents and incidents involving different aircraft types. These include a 2005 DHC-3 Otter accident, the fatal 2011 Flight 200 crash near Lutselk'e, the 2014 Flight 223 Grand Caravan crash on Great Slave Lake, the fatal 2019 King Air crash near Whatì, a 2022 runway overrun at Thunder Bay, and a 2023 Twin Otter controlled-flight-into-terrain accident near Lac de Gras. The available reference material records the outcomes and, for the 2019 crash, an investigation finding concerning failed attitude indicators; it does not establish that these events involved intentional misconduct or a brand scandal. In December 2024, Air Tindi responded to Northwestern Air's planned withdrawal from scheduled flying by agreeing to take over the Yellowknife–Fort Smith–Fort Chipewyan–Edmonton route. The airline announced that it would acquire two Dash 8 aircraft to support the service. This move represented an expansion of its scheduled network while remaining consistent with its role as a northern Canadian operator serving communities and specialized customers over long distances.
- 2024
Scheduled-route expansion announced
[1]Air Tindi agreed to take over a route being discontinued by Northwestern Air and announced plans to acquire two Dash 8 aircraft.
- 2011
Selected for Kitikmeot medevac services
[1]Air Tindi and Aqsaqniq were selected to provide medevac services in Nunavut's Kitikmeot Region.
- 2006
Acquired by Discovery Air
[1]Discovery Air purchased Air Tindi on 19 December.
- 1996
DHC-7 Dash 7 added
[1]The airline acquired a DHC-7 Dash 7, expanding its short-field and larger-aircraft capabilities.
- 1993
DHC-4 Caribou added
[1]Air Tindi acquired a DHC-4 Caribou for mining-sector resupply operations.
- 1991
Merger with Latham Island Airways
[1]The airline merged with Latham Island Airways and obtained four additional aircraft through the transaction.
- 1990
First Twin Otter acquired
[1]Air Tindi purchased its first turboprop, a STOL-capable de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, with support from the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation.
- 1988
Air Tindi founded
[1]The airline was established by Alex and Sheila Arychuk and Peter and Teri Arychuk and began operations on 1 November with four float- or ski-equipped aircraft.
Products and positioning
Northern Canadian regional airline and specialized remote-community aviation provider
Air transportation
Scheduled passenger services
Regional scheduled passenger flights linking northern Canadian communities and other destinations. These services form the airline's public transportation role alongside its charter and specialized aviation activities. In December 2024, Air Tindi announced plans to assume a Yellowknife–Fort Smith–Fort Chipewyan–Edmonton route after Northwestern Air announced the end of its scheduled flights.
Air transportation · 1988
Charter services
On-demand charter flights for communities, businesses, government organizations, mining and exploration companies, and other customers. Charter work allows the airline to serve destinations, aircraft requirements, and schedules not covered by regular passenger operations.
Medical aviation
Medevac services
Medical evacuation operations transporting patients or medical personnel between remote communities and larger healthcare facilities. Air Tindi provides medevac services across the Northwest Territories and has also held or participated in contracted service arrangements in Nunavut's Kitikmeot Region.
Specialized air services · 1993
Mining and industrial resupply
Cargo, personnel, and resupply flying supporting mining exploration and other industrial activity in remote northern locations. The airline expanded this role through aircraft such as the DHC-4 Caribou, acquired in 1993 for mining-sector resupply work.
Brand decisions
2024
Take over Northwestern Air routeStrategyBackground
Northwestern Air announced that it would discontinue its scheduled flights, creating a potential gap in service between several northern communities and Edmonton.
Action taken
Air Tindi agreed to assume the Yellowknife–Fort Smith–Fort Chipewyan–Edmonton route and announced plans to acquire two Dash 8 aircraft.
Aftermath
The decision was intended to expand Air Tindi's scheduled passenger network; the reference material does not provide verified operating or financial results.
2011
Expand contracted medevac operations in NunavutStrategyBackground
The Government of Nunavut sought a provider for medical evacuation services in the Kitikmeot Region.
Action taken
Air Tindi partnered with Aqsaqniq and was awarded the Kitikmeot medevac contract.
Aftermath
An appeal by the previous provider was dismissed, while the incumbent received an extension through the end of November 2011.
2006
Sale to Discovery AirM&ABackground
The founder-owned airline entered a new ownership phase within a Canadian aviation holding company.
Action taken
Discovery Air purchased Air Tindi on 19 December 2006.
Aftermath
The founders initially remained involved, but Alex Arychuk later left as president and departed Discovery Air's board following corporate disagreements.
1991
Merge with Latham Island AirwaysM&ABackground
Air Tindi sought to expand its aircraft resources and regional operating platform.
Action taken
Air Tindi merged with Latham Island Airways and acquired four aircraft through the combination.
Aftermath
The merger increased the airline's aircraft base and supported its subsequent growth in northern services.
1990
Acquire a STOL-capable Twin OtterStrategyBackground
Air Tindi needed greater operating capability for northern communities and the expanding mining exploration industry.
Action taken
The airline purchased its first turboprop, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, with assistance from the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation.
Aftermath
The aircraft enabled broader service and strengthened Air Tindi's ability to operate from short and remote airfields.
Recent events
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