Canadian North (5T, Yellowknife) has announced it will open its own Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MMRO) facility at Edmonton International during the first quarter of next year. The move is the latest step in the airline's ongoing growth and diversification plan aimed at developing revenue streams that will complement its current core business of providing passenger and cargo services to communities across Canada's Northwest Territories and Nunavut from its southern gateways at Edmonton and Ottawa International.

Funded by the airline's parent firm, Inuvialuit Development Corporation, the 8,300sqm Edmonton hanger will allow Canadian North to meet all of its line maintenance, heavy maintenance and manufacturing needs for its fleet of two B737-200(M)s, eight B737-300s, two B737-300(QC)s, and two DHC-8-100s.

In addition, the facility and its capabilities will also be marketed as a cost-effective and efficient maintenance solution to other airlines both domestic and foreign. To that end, the airline will work closely with Invest Alberta to ensure that the hangar realizes its full potential in attracting new customers.

"Canadian North’s establishment of its own MMRO facility at Edmonton International is a major step forward for both Canadian North and Edmonton,” Steve Hankirk, President of Canadian North, said. “We will now be able to maintain our Boeing 737 and Bombardier Aerospace Dash 8 aircraft more efficiently, and by offering access to our highly trained team members and well-equipped facility to other airlines, we’ll be helping to position Edmonton as a leading aerospace maintenance hub, stimulating even more economic activity in the region.”

Canadian North has since launched a campaign to recruit an initial complement of thirty full-time positions for this facility, which will include Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other supporting roles.