All About Air Tindi

Air Tindi began operations on November 1, 1988 with four float/ski airplanes and eight employees in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The name ``Tindi" represents the meaning ``the big lake" or ``Great Slave Lake" in the local native Dogrib language.  Initial success was built on the transportation of people and freight to the communities, cabins and lodges in the remote area north of Yellowknife where there are no roads.

Further aircraft were added over the next two years including a de Havilland Twin Otter operated for Echo Bay Mines. In 1990 the company purchased their first Twin Otter with the help of the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation. This allowed the Airline to begin providing more services to the growing mining exploration industry.

In 1991 Air Tindi merged with Latham Island Airways and acquired several additional airplanes, including another Twin Otter and a Beechcraft Super King Air B-200C with Medevac interior.  A five-passenger twin engine Piper Navajo and a de Havilland Beaver were also added.  By this time the number of employees had increased to 45.
 

A significant part of Air Tindi's success has been the acquisition of experienced personnel (pilots, maintenance engineers, and dispatchers) when procuring aircraft and equipment from other companies. In addition to maintaining northern jobs, this approach has allowed Air Tindi to adopt the best management and operational techniques from each company.  By the summer of 1992 the company was operating four Twin Otters on floats and was the largest float plane operator in Northern Canada. A brand new Cessna Grand Caravan C-208B was also purchased at this time to fly on the company's scheduled routes. 

Increased activity in the mining industry led to the purchase in 1993 of a DHC-4 de Havilland Caribou for seasonal resupply to various exploration companies.  This was the company's first large aircraft. 

In 1994 Air Tindi purchased another Twin Otter, this one from Logan Air in Scotland, and a King Air C-90 from the United States.  This year also saw the start up of the Northern Flight Training Center, Air Tindi's flying school at the Yellowknife Airport.  Working closely with Arctic College to develop the training courses, four Cessna training aircraft were obtained to provide multi and single engine flight training.

1995 saw the deliver of the company's first DHC-3T Turbine single otter.

In the spring of 1996 Air Tindi acquired a de Havilland Dash-7 with a passenger/cargo combie configuration to further support the exploration industry.  This large airplane is capable of hauling 10 000 pounds of freight or 50 passengers into and out of very small airstrips both on land and ice.  Construction was also completed on a new three-story office building at the company's floatbase on Latham Island in Yellowknife's old town. This is the Airline's head office, dispatch and administration center.  

Air Tindi took deliver of a second Cessna Grand Caravan in the summer of 1997. This airplane, like the first one, is dedicated to the company's scheduled routes servicing the communities of Lutsel K'e, Rae Lakes, Snare Lake & Wha Ti with daily passenger and cargo sked service from the Yellowknife Airport.

1998 has seen the delivery of another de Havilland Twin Otter, registration C-FATM from Arizona, U.S.A. to be utilized on large wheels for charter work.  April 1, 1998 also saw the expansion of Air Tindi's scheduled routes, with daily return service started between the Fort Simpson Island Airport and the Yellowknife International Airport.  

Air Tindi today operates a diversified fleet of 22 aircraft and employs over 130 people in the peak summer flying season. Our customers include major diamond and base metal exploration and mining companies, Governments of Canada and Northwest Territories, GNWT Corporations, native organizations, Bands and residents, canoeing, hunting and fishing parties, trappers, tourists and sport teams.

The company operates from two locations in Yellowknife. The facilities at the city's international airport include a 14000 sq. foot hanger that houses the maintenance and sheet metal departments. Also located at the airport is the dedicated medevac hangar, the scheduled service and air cargo terminal building, and the new 18,000 sq. foot Dash 7 hangar. Administration and flight operations are located at the Latham Island base along with all the floatplanes in the summer and ski-equipped aircraft in winter.  One airplane is based in Fort Simpson, NWT. 

Air Tindi was founded, and is owned and operated by the Arychuk family all born and raised in the north. Alex is president and general manager of the company.  Brother Peter is Vice-president and manager of public relations and marketing. He maintains a hands-on role in flight operations, dispatch and logistic issues. Peter's wife Teri is Air Tindi's operations manager. She is responsible for the day to day management of flight operations and aircraft dispatch. Alex's wife Sheila performs the comptrollership and treasury functions at Air Tindi. She is responsible for managing the financial and administrative affairs.   

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