Panorama Aviation (PNO, Alma, QC) has announced the addition of two Beech 1900Ds "in the coming months" as it seeks to improve its regional network throughout the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Nunavut.
"The past year has demonstrated the great need to improve air transport services in the regions and we intend to continue our development efforts in order to offer the most comprehensive services to our customers," President Jimmy Emond said.
The charter specialist, which is a division of Corpo Aviation, currently operates three PC-12/45s and three PC-12/47s. The aircraft can seat up to 9 passengers, although Panorama Aviation also proffers them in cargo and mixed configurations. The Beech 1900Ds, which can carry up to 19 passengers, will allow it to operate a number of scheduled and ad-hoc charter services that thus far have required two flights with a single aircraft.
Although the carrier focuses on charter operations, it recently was recently awarded a regional subsidised contract to operate flights between Sanikiluaq and Iqaluit. The government of Nunavut awarded the route on a trial basis to retail, construction, and consulting firm Arctic Fresh Projects Inc., which then subcontracted the flights to Panorama Aviation. The contract covers 2x weekly return flights for an initial period of six months.
If the trial proves successful, the contract could be extended for a further 18 months. Arctic Fresh Projects was awarded a CAD1.2 million Canadian dollars (USD990,000) subsidy for the trial. The government committed to booking at least six seats on each of the flights with the remainder available to open sales.
