From the President and CEO O ver the last 71 years, Rise Air has grown to become Saskatch- ewan’s largest airline, operating 24 aircraft, serving 50 communi- ties and employing 330 people. Success for Rise Air has always been measured by how well we support the people living and working in northern Saskatchewan through scheduled passenger and cargo services, medevac operations, workforce transportation and on-demand charters. For many people, these flights are essential, providing access to food, medi- cal care, education, supplies and other critical services. Our development has gone hand in hand with the growth of the North. There are Elders in northern communities who have been flying with us for almost our entire history, and for them, there has never been a time when Rise Air was not part of daily life. That continuity is part of our legacy. Flying in the North is challenging, and each day is different from every oth- er. We operate in conditions that demand discipline and teamwork. In many communities, we provide our own fueling, de-icing and cargo handling, and in some cases, we build and operate our own passenger terminals. Shorter runway lengths across the North also mean we can’t operate the same aircraft types as southern carriers, and often we operate those aircraft with reduced payloads, which significantly affects both cost and scheduling. Our mission extends beyond passenger and cargo transport. For example, we fly doctors into small communities so that they can deliver specialized health care, and carry the judges, prosecutors, defence counsel and bailiffs that operate circuit courts across the North. Any disruption in these services affects not just travel, but access to care and justice. Even after 71 years, we’re still looking for ways to improve. This summer we are introducing new and upgraded aircraft that increase passenger and cargo capacity and improve connectivity across the region. We’re adding another ATR 42-500 in a combi configuration, allowing passengers and cargo on the same flight, which we’ll use to increase capacity to Wollaston Lake. Wollaston will see another major improvement this summer too, when we open a new passenger terminal, replacing a facility built in the 1980s. Uranium City will also see increased service, with same-plane ATR 42 flights from Saskatoon and Prince Albert, replacing the current Twin Otter service. At the same time, we are completing the transition of our workforce trans- portation services to the ATR 72-600, the most advanced regional aircraft of its kind, and one that Rise Air is proud to introduce as the launch customer in Canada. As we look ahead, our focus remains on strengthening the connections that keep northern Saskatchewan communities linked. Our story has always been tied to the growth of the North, and we remain committed to safely and reliably serving our customers across this vast region. Derek Nice President and CEO, Rise Air John G. Diefenbaker Airport 3A Hangar Road Saskatoon, SK S7L 5X4 Published by: mediaedgepublishing.com 33 South Station Street Toronto, ON M9N 2B2 Toll Free: 1-866-480-4717 robertt@mediaedge.ca NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING Maurice P. LaBorde EDITOR Brooke Fehr NATIONAL SALES EXECUTIVES Nolan Ackman, Bill Biber, Derek de Weerdt, April Hawkes, Veronica Johnston SENIOR DESIGN SPECIALIST Marisa Giesbrecht DESIGN SPECIALIST Bethany Giesbrecht PRESIDENT Kevin Brown SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Robert Thompson SALES / BRANCH MANAGER Nancie Privé Published July 2026 Publication Mail Agreement #40787580 All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the association. Printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an en- closure, we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap. Return undeliverables to: Rise Air John G. Diefenbaker Airport 3A Hangar Road 6 Issue 1 – Summer 2026 PRESIDENT AND CEO’S MESSAGE
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