West Wind Aviation
West Wind Aviation Limited Partnership is a Saskatchewan based airline.
Destinations
Under its ExpressAir banner, West Wind formerly offed scheduled service between Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Service in northern Saskatchewan and Nunavut were provided under the Pronto Airways banner. Its main commercial rival was Prince Albert-based Transwest Air which became a subsidiary of West Wind Aviation July 1, 2016, and all scheduled flights are operated by Transwest.Fleet
As of August 2019 West Wind Aviation had the following aircraft registered with Transport Canada.Aircraft | Number | Variants | Notes |
ATR 42 | 5 | 300 series, 320 series | 44/46 passengers. |
Beechcraft 1900 | 4 | 1900C, 1900D | 19 passengers, and is versatile enough to land on gravel and pavement airstrips |
Beechcraft Super King Air | 4 | 200 series | 8 passengers, MEDIVAC capable. |
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter | 2 | 200 series, 300 series | 19 passengers. 200 series not listed at West Wind site |
In addition the Transport Canada site lists a Cessna 414 and three Cessna 401s with cancelled certificates.
Aviation services
West Wind operates fixed-base operations at the Saskatoon and Regina airports under Shell Canada's AeroCentre franchise. Under the International Air Services brand, West Wind provides airport terminal services to charter and international airlines at the Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg airports. In addition, under the Lancaster Fuel brand, the company provides aviation fuel to smaller airports and private operators in the province.Accidents
- West Wind Aviation Flight 280, an ATR42 aircraft crashed with 22 passengers and 3 crew on board at Fond-du-Lac, approximately 1 km from the airport, immediately after taking off from the airport, on December 13, 2017. The aircraft was destroyed but everyone on board initially survived, 1 passenger died of his injuries 12 days later.
Repercussions
Transport Canada reinstated West Wind's license to operate on May 8, 2018. Operations have since resumed.