R
eliable air service con-
tinues to be a lifeline for 
northern Saskatchewan’s 
resource industry, con-
necting people to work opportuni-
ties and to their families, essential 
services and communities. The 
introduction of Canada’s first ATR 
72-600 into the Rise Air fleet rep-
resents an exciting and meaning-
ful step forward in strengthening 
those connections. 
While the aircraft brings a new gen-
eration of regional aviation technol-
ogy, its most important role remains 
simple and powerful: helping people 
and goods get where they need to go 
safely, reliably and with care.
A MILESTONE BUILT 
ON TEAMWORK
For Rise Air President and CEO 
Derek Nice, this moment is about 
more than just an aircraft; it’s about 
people coming together. During 
a celebratory gathering at Rise 
Air headquarters with ATR’s CEO, 
Nathalie Tarnaud Laude and senior 
leadership, Rise Air’s partners, cus-
tomers and many other stakehold-
ers, Nice said, “We are thrilled to be 
here today.… This is an occasion that 
we could only have dreamed about 
two years ago.… We are here today 
because of teamwork.” He continued, 
“That teamwork extends beyond Rise 
Air employees to include partners, 
customers, regulators and commu-
nity stakeholders,” emphasizing the 
importance of collaboration across 
organizations, including custom-
ers like Cameco and Orano Canada, 
Transport Canada and ATR, noting 
ATR 72-600
Canada’s  
first ATR 
72-600
BY VÉRONIQUE LOEWEN
A New Chapter in 
Northern Aviation
ATR 72-600
8   
  Issue 1 – Summer 2026

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