February 14, 2023
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caroline Wawzonek was among those on hand this morning to celebrate the inaugural flight of Canadian North’s daily nonstop Boeing 737 jet service between Calgary and Yellowknife.
As global travel continues to re-set following the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector worldwide continues to be impacted by shortages and disruptions in airline service.
The NWT is no exception but Tuesday’s inaugural flight is an indicator of good things to come.
In its mandate commitment to increase economic diversification by supporting growth in non-extractive sectors and set regional diversification targets, the GNWT has said it will work to increase tourism in the NWT with a focus on increasing tourism outside of Yellowknife.
The new jet route between Calgary and Yellowknife provides direct access to the NWT capital and other northern destinations out of Canadian North’s Yellowknife hub.
As the GNWT continues to provide an environment that will give northern entrepreneurs the foundation and tools to invest in their ideas and companies, the announcement by Canadian North of direct service between Calgary and Yellowknife is also a welcome reflection of their confidence in the North’s economy overall.
Well beyond the tourism sector, it expands the NWT’s valued connection with the South; strengthening supply chains and benefiting residents, families and those investors and businesses looking to do business in the territory