Air Creebec Inc. is a Cree-owned regional airline based in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada.[5] It operates scheduled and charter services to 16 destinations in Quebec and Ontario. Its main base is Val-d'Or Airport, with a hub at Timmins Victor M. Power Airport.[6]
As part of its charter operations, the airline operates a medical charter service in conjunction with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay to provide access to medical specialists and services in the South to Quebec Cree.[4]
History
The airline was established in June 1982 and started operations on 1 July 1982. Billy Diamond, first and former Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Cree is credited with the founding of the airline.[7]
At that time the Cree owned 51% of the company and Austin Airways owned the remaining 49%. In 1988 the Cree purchased all the airline assets in the largest commercial deal to that date performed by any Indigenous group in Canada, making Air Creebec owned entirely by the Cree.[8]
According to Cree sources, during negotiations to launch the airline, Premier of Quebec René Lévesque muttered "Indians don't run airlines, Billy", to which founder Billy Diamond replied "Well, this Indian is going to."[7][9]
On 23 March 2012, Air Creebec discontinued its service to La Grande Rivière Airport.[10]
In 2023 the airline appointed its first female CEO Tanya Pash, succeeding outgoing CEO Matthew Happyjack. Prior to her appointment Pash served as COO for 10 years.[4]
Destinations
Air Creebec operates services to the following Canadian domestic scheduled destinations (as of August 2019):[11]
Interline agreements
Fleet
As of 1 February 2026 Transport Canada listed 21 aircraft, Air Creebec listed the types but not numbers:[13][14]
Affinity programs
The airline offers Aeroplan rewards points, both to collect and to redeem.
External links
- https://www.aircreebec.ca/
References
- {{TCAOC|28 August 2019|89-82|Air+Creebec}}^
- The Airline Codes^
- {{CanICAOD|Air Creebec|CRQ|CREE|1|2023-02-24}}^
- Susan Bell. First woman appointed to lead Air Creebec CBC, CBC News, retrieved 12 March 2025^
- Contact Us. Air Crebeec. Retrieved on 29 June 2010. "101, 7th Street Val-d'Or, Quebec J9P 4P4" Address in French : "101, 7e Rue Val-d'Or (Québec) J9P 4P4"^
- Directory: World Airlines Flight International, 27 March 2007^
- Susan Bell. Quebec Cree celebrate 40 years of Air Creebec CBC, CBC News, retrieved 12 March 2025^
- From Yesterday to Today retrieved 29 June 2010^
- Delivering the Promise Grand Council of the Crees, retrieved 12 March 2025^
- Discontunuance of a domestic services to La Grande (press release) Air Creebec Inc., 15 March 2012, retrieved 28 March 2012^
- Air Creebec Destinations retrieved 28 August 2019^
- Air Canada Codeshare Partners www.aircanada.com, retrieved 22 April 2020^
- {{TCregister|AIR+CREEBEC|Air Creebec|1 February 2026}}^
- Fleet retrieved 1 February 2026^