June 07, 2023

Keewatin Air Pilots Join ALPA as 42nd Pilot Group

The pilots of Keewatin Air became ALPA’s newest members this week after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) announced that it had certified the results of the pilot group’s May 12 card filing, which grants representation rights to ALPA.

“The Keewatin Air pilots are showing what we all know—that we are stronger together,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “Today the world’s largest pilot union grew even larger and stronger, and we look forward to working with the Keewatin Air pilots to help them achieve their first collective agreement.”

Keewatin Air is owned by the Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), making the pilots the seventh EIC-owned group represented by ALPA.

“Keewatin Air pilots not only bring in another EIC company, increasing solidarity and networking opportunities within those pilot groups,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president, “but they also bring another airline servicing the Far North, sharing their expertise in the area with similar pilot groups and gaining an immediate support group for the unique issues facing such travel.

Perry continued, “Keewatin Air pilots will immediately have the support and experience of ALPA’s pilots, professional negotiators, economists, and the entire ALPA staff. We look forward to further advancing the aviation profession in Canada together.”

Keewatin Air, which began operations in 1971 and was the first airline in Canada to have a permanent base in Nunavut, is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and operates a fleet of King Airs, Cessna Citations, and Pilatus PC-12s.

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