First Air (Carp) has taken delivery of its first ATR42-500, N510XA (cn 510), on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). The turboprops will be used to replace the Canadian carrier's fleet of nine older-generation ATR42-300s, currently used for Northern operations and based at the airline’s Iqaluit and Yellowknife hubs.

"Despite being very popular worldwide, no other airline in Canada operates the ATR42-500. Being new to Canada means that the ATR42-500 requires certification by Transport Canada. Once certified, it is expected that the new aircraft will enter service in the last quarter of 2015 from its base in Yellowknife," the airline said.

According to the ch-aviation aircraft database, First Air also operates an ATR72-200 and an ATR 72-200(F)/-500(F)/-600F leased to fellow Canadian operator Summit Air Charters (SUT, Yellowknife).