The two airlines that service northern Saskatchewan have merged together to become one airline.

West Wind Aviation and Transwest Air have consolidated to become Rise Air.

Spokesperson Tracy Young-McLean says everyone is excited about the merger.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Young-McLean. “We’ve had two companies with very different cultures, very different ways of operating come together. It’s sort of a new beginning for everybody to move forward together.”

Young-McLean says the only difference customers will notice in terms of service, is the new name and logo.

She says while the merger was planned before the pandemic, COVID-19 definitely took its toll on the airlines.

“It did have an impact on operations, as well as on our staffing levels,” said Young-McLean. “As business dwindled, we had to adjust our staffing too, and unfortunately, when something like that happens, you lose a lot of good people.”

The new logo has a lot of hidden meaning to it, as the bird logo represents their connection with the land, Northern Saskatchewan, and the people they serve. There are 7 feathers to represent ownership by 7 northern communities, and 2 feathers to represent other ownership groups. The bird theme pays homage to the Transwest logo; the grey colour comes from West Wind’s logo; and the blue for our vibrant blue skies that they fly under.

Young-McLean says the most exciting thing  about the merger is the sense of relief felt throughout, as the company is in a stronger position to make it through the pandemic.