For business or leisure, there’s always a little something extra. • AAA/CAA Preferred Hotel • FREE, exclusive loyalty program • FREE, high-speed Internet • Complimentary full breakfast • Kitchenettes in all guest rooms • 24-hour business center • Meeting rooms • Fitness Center • Laundry facilities • Indoor swimming pool & hot tub • Lounge onsite • Long-Term Stays & Special Rates 317 Aerogreen Crescent, Saskatoon, SK. S7L 1S4 | P: (306) 986-1514 | Reservations: 1 (800) 780 7234 | www.bestwestern.com Airport Inn & Suites Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated ATR 72-600 vital for northern communities. For example, the existing ATR 42-500 RYI aircraft will soon be configured into a 36-seat combi layout, similar to the company fleet’s first ATR 41-500 HBX, which is already operating with that setup. This configuration increases cargo space while still accommodat- ing many passengers, enabling more goods to move north more swiftly. The extra cargo capacity is especially important for time-sensitive ship- ments and during periods when ice roads aren’t available, reinforcing Rise Air’s three-day shipping service. The purchase of the ATR 72-600 and these changes also demonstrate ongoing progress as the airline shifts away from older aircrafts like the Saab 340 and earlier ATR 42-300 models, focusing on newer aircrafts, which provide improved reliabil- ity and increased freight capacity, thereby strengthening supply chains to northern communities. BEHIND THE SCENES – DEDICATION AND PRIDE Bringing a new aircraft into service is no small task. It requires years of planning, coordination and hard work across multiple teams. “Arriving at ATR’s production facility in Toulouse, France, and seeing the plane for the first time, it really hit me … all of the work that we’ve done in the past two years … It was very exciting, but it was emotional too,” said Vice President of Flight Opera- tions Carla Wayman. From technical training and regula- tory approvals to interior design and operational readiness, every depart- ment played a role. Delf explained that “having training from the manufacturer is priceless … to get that experience and pass it on to our team is vital.” Rounding Rise Air’s leadership team’s reflection on this milestone, Chief Financial Officer Rick Phili- penko added, “I felt a very strong sense of pride to be part of the team that brought the first ATR 72-600 to Canada … This initiative supports Rise Air’s commitment to provid- ing safe, reliable, cost-competi- tive transportation.” LOOKING AHEAD WITH PURPOSE The addition of the ATR 72-600 also complements ongoing improve- ments across the fleet, including the transition towards newer ATR 42-500 aircraft with enhanced cargo capabilities. These changes will help strengthen supply chains and main- tain essential services to northern communities, particularly during critical times of the year before ice roads are open. For many team members within Rise Air, the aircraft represents more than growth; it’s a statement about the future. “We are investing in the future of Rise Air … in creat- ing opportunities,” shared Dan Gold, Director of Marketing and Stake- holder Relations. And for employees across the orga- nization, from flight crews to cus- tomer service teams, the excitement is tangible, as expressed by ATR 42 First Officer Andrey Babin: “It’s the first one in Canada, the first 600 for a Canadian operator, that says a lot about where the company’s headed and the progress it’s made.” While the ATR 72-600 represents in- novation and progress, its true value lies in how it serves people. Whether transporting workers to remote sites, delivering essential goods or con- necting families across distances, the mission remains the same. Safe, dependable air travel contin- ues to be at the heart of northern Saskatchewan’s growth and Rise Air’s commitment to the communi- ties it serves. 10 Issue 1 – Summer 2026
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