Aklak Air
Aklak Air is a privately held regional Arctic carrier headquartered in Inuvik, NT, operating since 1994 as a joint venture between the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and Kenn Borek Air. It provides scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and 24/7 medevac air services to remote Western Arctic communities, resource, research, government, and healthcare customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersInuvik, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Aklak Air does
Aklak Air is a privately held regional aviation company headquartered in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada, operating since 1994 as a joint venture between the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) and Kenn Borek Air Ltd. The company is the primary provider of air transportation in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Western Arctic, serving remote communities north of the 60th parallel as well as resource, research, government, tourism, and healthcare end markets. Its operations are organized around four service lines: scheduled passenger flights from Inuvik to Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and seasonally Fort McPherson; on-demand charter flights with off-strip capability; integrated cargo and freight services; and a dedicated 24/7/365 medevac air ambulance service.
The technical core is a fleet of twin-engine turboprop aircraft — De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, Beechcraft 1900, Beechcraft King Air 200 (including a 200GT configured for medevac), and McDonnell Douglas DC-3T — equipped with multiple landing configurations (wheels, skis, tundra tires) and operated by dual flight crews holding Transport Canada Instrument Flight Ratings. Strategic partnerships augment internal capability: Kenn Borek Air provides access to one of the world's largest Twin Otter fleets and maintenance depth; Braden Burry Expediting supplies ground handling, warehousing, and a web-based logistics management system; Air Tindi collaborates on medevac capacity; Canadian North Airlines provides interline connections to southern Canada.
Revenue is generated on a transactional basis — per-seat scheduled fares, per-charter fees for passenger and freight movement, weight-based cargo charges, and per-mission medevac billing — with no subscription or recurring-contract structure disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct-to-consumer, relying primarily on phone, email, and an online charter quote form rather than digital self-service (the online reservation flow is still listed as 'Coming soon'). Customer segments span Inuvialuit communities (primary), oil and gas exploration, scientific research, tourism, government agencies, and healthcare providers. Pricing is quote-based for charter and freight; scheduled fares are not publicly disclosed and require direct contact.
Aklak Air firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aklak Air
- Legal name
- Aklak Air
- Website
- https://aklakair.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aklak Air is a privately held regional Arctic carrier headquartered in Inuvik, NT, operating since 1994 as a joint venture between the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and Kenn Borek Air. It provides scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and 24/7 medevac air services to remote Western Arctic communities, resource, research, government, and healthcare customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aklak Air industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Air Transportation
- NAICS
- Air Transportation (481), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines (THABACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Essential Air Service (EAS) & Subsidized Regional Operators (THABACAC), Air Freight Charter Operators (THABAEAD), On-Demand/Charter Helicopter Passenger Services (THABAGAB)
Keywords
Where Aklak Air is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Inuvik
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aklak Air business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Scheduled Passenger Flights: Regular scheduled flight service between Inuvik and Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and seasonally to Fort McPherson. Revenue generated through ticket sales with fares based on route and booking timing. Passengers can connect to Canadian North flights at Norman Wells, Yellowknife, and Edmonton.
- Charter Services: Charter flights for passenger transport and freight movement across the Arctic, including off-strip operations on tundra tires or wheel-skis. Customers request quotes and pay for charter services based on distance, duration, and aircraft type. Revenue generated from freight movement to passenger transport on a per-charter basis.
- Cargo and Freight Services: Integrated cargo and freight services in collaboration with Braden Burry Expediting including cargo and ground-handling services, interline freight movement, warehousing at Inuvik Airport, 24-hour expediting and pickup/delivery services. Revenue generated through freight charges based on weight and service type.
- Medevac Air Ambulance: Dedicated air ambulance service operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year using pressurized Beechcraft King Air 200GT configured for medical transport. Revenue generated through medical transport fees for emergency and elective patient transfers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Scheduled Flight Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Charter Flight Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cargo and Freight |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Aklak Air product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aklak Air is a regional Arctic aviation company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, operating scheduled passenger flights between Inuvik and remote communities (Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and seasonally Fort McPherson). The company also provides charter flights, integrated cargo and freight services in partnership with Braden Burry Expediting, and dedicated 24/7/365 medevac air ambulance service using a pressurized Beechcraft King Air 200GT.
Product overview
Aklak Air operates as a regional Arctic aviation company offering a portfolio of air transportation services centered around scheduled passenger flights, charter flights, cargo/freight services, and medevac operations. The company maintains a fleet of four aircraft types (De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, Beechcraft 1900, Beechcraft King Air 200, and McDonnell Douglas DC-3T) that are configured for various mission requirements including short-takeoff operations, pressurized passenger travel, and dedicated air ambulance service. All services operate from the company's base in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, serving the Inuvialuit Settlement Region since 1994.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scheduled Passenger Flights Fixed-wing scheduled passenger air service operating from Inuvik to Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and seasonal service to Fort McPherson in the Western Arctic, with onward connections to southern Canada via Canadian North Airlines.
- Charter Flights Customized charter air services covering passenger transport and freight movement across the North, including off-strip destinations on tundra tires or wheel-skis for oil/gas, research, government, and tourism clients.
- Cargo and Freight Services Integrated cargo and freight services including ground-handling, interline freight movement, warehousing at Inuvik Airport, charter loading, and 24-hour expediting services in partnership with Braden Burry Expediting.
- Medevac Air Ambulance Dedicated air ambulance service in the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea region using a pressurized Beechcraft King Air 200GT configured for medevac operations with up to two stretchers and one isolet, available 24/7/365 with 45-minute emergency response capability.
Quantifiable outcome
- Emergency medevac response time can be as short as 45 minutes from authorization to proceed
Companies that use Aklak Air
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aklak Air technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aklak Air partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC)coreJoint venture partner and majority owner. IDC is the development corporation of the Inuvialuit people. Provides local ownership and community connection to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, ensuring the airline serves local community needs while supporting sustainable economic development.
- Kenn Borek Air Ltd.coreJoint venture partner providing first class aircraft, maintenance, and pilots. Kenn Borek Air is a full spectrum aviation company with operations spanning the globe. Provides access to one of the world's largest Twin Otter fleets and additional aircraft as needed. Contributes over 55 years of combined Arctic aviation experience.
- Canadian North AirlinesminorThe north's premier jet airline service provider offering daily flights between southern Canada and the North. Provides connecting flight options for Aklak Air passengers traveling to/from Norman Wells, Yellowknife, and Edmonton.
- Braden Burry Expediting (BBE)majorProvides logistical services, freight consolidation, cargo handling, expediting, and aircraft ground-handling with operational bases in Inuvik and Edmonton. Utilizes web-based integrated logistics management system to track freight. Modern fleet of diesel trucks and forklifts for cargo operations.
- Aklak-Canadian HelicoptersminorProvides safe, reliable helicopter service throughout the western Arctic. Complements Aklak Air's fixed-wing services for customers requiring helicopter transport.
- Air TindimajorCollaborates with Aklak Air in providing medevac services in the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea region. Partnership enables expertise and capacity to operate dedicated air ambulance services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aklak Air competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Canadian North: Northern Canadian airline serving remote communities with scheduled and charter services; operates as a connecting carrier partner to Aklak Air and competes/collaborates on passenger traffic to/from the Western Arctic and beyond.
- Kenn Borek Air: Joint venture partner of Aklak Air and a leading specialized Arctic aviation operator with a large Twin Otter fleet; provides charter, medevac, and cargo services across the polar regions and is directly comparable in mission profile and customer base.
- North-Wright Airways: Regional NWT airline operating scheduled and charter services to remote Sahtu and Dehcho communities with float and wheel-equipped aircraft; directly comparable as a small northern community-focused carrier.
- Air Tindi: NWT-based charter, medevac, and air ambulance operator; collaborates with Aklak Air on medevac coverage in the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea region and serves overlapping charter and government customers.
- Buffalo Airways: Yellowknife-based charter and cargo airline famous for northern operations, including Hercules and DC-3 freight work; competes for charter, cargo, and fuel-haul contracts in the same NWT market as Aklak Air.
Broad incumbents
- Calm Air: Manitoba-based regional carrier serving Churchill, Rankin Inlet, and other remote northern communities; comparable in providing scheduled passenger and freight service to remote Canadian populations under similar operating conditions.
- Harbour Air: Large Canadian seaplane operator offering scheduled and charter passenger service along the BC coast; comparable as a Canadian regional airline with a strong scheduled-plus-charter model and off-strip/alternative landing operations.
- Perimeter Aviation: Manitoba-based regional airline with scheduled, charter, cargo, and medevac services across Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, and into Nunavut; comparable in offering a diversified multi-service portfolio in remote Canadian geographies.
- Air North: Yukon-based regional airline operating scheduled and charter services between Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia; comparable as a Canadian northern carrier serving remote communities with charter and scheduled offerings.
Regional players
- Wasaya Airways: Ontario-based airline owned by First Nations communities serving remote northern First Nations communities; structurally similar to Aklak Air as an Indigenous-owned regional carrier providing essential scheduled service to remote settlements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aklak Air social profiles
Digital presenceAklak Air financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aklak Air leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Aklak Air funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aklak Air M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aklak Air
What does Aklak Air do?
Aklak Air is a regional Arctic aviation company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, operating scheduled passenger flights between Inuvik and remote communities (Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and seasonally Fort McPherson). The company also provides charter flights, integrated cargo and freight services in partnership with Braden Burry Expediting, and dedicated 24/7/365 medevac air ambulance service using a pressurized Beechcraft King Air 200GT.
Is Aklak Air a public or private company?
Aklak Air is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Aklak Air founded?
Aklak Air was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aklak Air based?
Aklak Air is headquartered in Inuvik, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Aklak Air make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Scheduled Passenger Flights are the primary driver. The others are charter Services, cargo and Freight Services and medevac Air Ambulance.
Who are Aklak Air's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Canadian North, Kenn Borek Air, North-Wright Airways, Air Tindi and Buffalo Airways. Broad incumbents are Calm Air, Harbour Air, Perimeter Aviation and Air North. Wasaya Airways is listed as a regional player.
Does Aklak Air have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aklak Air.
What industry is Aklak Air in?
Aklak Air's product category is Regional Air Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABACAL, Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines, with a secondary code of THABACAC, Essential Air Service (EAS) & Subsidized Regional Operators. Its NAICS code is 481 and its SIC code is 4512.