“ We need an accountant that knows the industry as well as we do.” People who know, know BDO.SM Technical knowledge. Experience across industries. And a deep commitment to personal client service. BDO provides tax, assurance, and advisory services to a wide variety of fi rms: public and private companies, not-for-profi t organizations, and government institutions. We are pleased to congratulate Bearskin Airlines on its 50th anniversary. Assurance | Accounting | Taxation | Advisory Services www.bdo.ca BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member rms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. Welcome Aboard Bearskin Airlines! By Harvey Friesen, President and Cliff Friesen, exeCutive viCe President On July 17th, 2013 Bearskin Airlines will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. As we sit back and reflect on the years that have gone by, we can feel very proud about achieving this major milestone in a very challenging industry – in fact, we would need all of our fingers and toes to count the airlines that have come and gone in the time that Bearskin has operated. To remain relevant to our customers, we have re-invented ourselves a number of times and been very open to the constant change required to grow and prosper in the markets we have served. In the early years, we transitioned from single engine float aircraft to twin engine wheeled aircraft and expanded rapidly as the provincial government embarked on their “highways in the sky” program, building gravel airstrips in many remote northern communities. We’ve operated as many as 14 different aircraft types compared to a single type today. Each equipment choice was strategic in nature as we evolved over the years. (l-r) Harvey Our first reservation system, our participation in the Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Program and Cliff and our first internet booking engine were all important to our success, as was our move to Friesen. Interline E-ticketing, Automated Revenue Management and other automated systems to help us be as efficient as we could be. The sale of our most Northern Operations (22 of 38 communities served) to Wasaya Airways in mid 2003 was also a significant time of change for us as we rationalized our equipment, staffing and markets served. On January 1st, 2011, Exchange Income Corporation (TSX: EIF) completed its acquisition of Bearskin Airlines as first announced on September 15, 2010. EIC is a Canadian corporation who, in addition to Bearskin Airlines, also owns Perimeter Aviation, Keewatin Air, Calm Air, Customer Helicopters and Regional One, along with specialty manufacturing companies in Canada and the United States. EIC’s strategy has been to maintain Bearskin's management and staff, allowing us the opportunity to manage Bearskin to best meet the needs of our customers. We like to attribute much of our success to the dedication and hard work by our 312 employees today and the hundreds who have passed through our company as they have progressed in their careers. We've seen many of them buy their first car, their first house, marry, have a family and later become grandparents. Others are working for airlines around the world. It is very gratifying to see them do well in their lives. We have established a long tradition of providing safe, convenient, comfortable and reliable air service throughout the cities we’ve served. Providing that service to our friends, neighbours and all of our customers has been rewarding. We have enjoyed significant support from the communities that we have served and for that we are grateful. On behalf of everyone at Bearskin Airlines, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the support that has been demonstrated for our service since 1963. 4 Bear Country In-Flight Magazine CONGRATS ON 50 YEARS OF SERVICE Congratulations Bearskin Airlines on your 50th Anniversary www.lowerys.com Publisher/managing editor Cliff Friesen editor Patti Gresham Congratulations Writers Elle Andra-Warner on 50 Years of PhotograPhy Credits Sudbury, Ontario Frank Baratta First Class Service! design + ProduCtion Good Design advertising sales Terry Crewson and Bearskin Airlines Staff lithograPhy Premier Printing Toll Free Reservations 1.877.560.0111 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40013935 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: 1475 West Walsh Street Thunder Bay, Ont. P7E 4X6 Phone (807) 474-2636 Fax (807) 474-2658 bearskinairlines.com bear Country is Published by Bearskin Lake Air Services Ltd. ISBN D702544 Bear Country In-Flight Magazine 5 It is a grand milestone this summer! bearskin airlines is celebrating 50 years of continuous service. and for most of those years, the Friesen brothers have led the company from a grassroots bush plane air service to one of Canada’s most successful commuter regional carriers. Shrewd business sense has been This timely service is particularly forward-looking people. Whenever essential to Bearskin’s growth, as important for business travellers there was a growth opportunity, has the airlines ability to adapt to so they can do a day’s work and everyone was ready for it.” change and meet the needs of the come back home for the night.” marketplace. “I think we helped Bearskin Airlines’ roots run deep in the company grow by taking careful The key to their success? northern Ontario. It was 50 years ago, steps. When there are opportunities Without hesitation, Harvey said it on July 17, 1963, that the airline began and need for service, we take a was “the dedication and hard work as Bearskin Lake Air Service with close look at it and try to make the by all of our employees.” two Cessna 180s flying passengers right decisions so that when we do and cargo from a base at Big Trout move forward, we do it successfully” Harvey’s brother Cliff is Bearskin’s Lake, 45 miles east of Bearskin Lake explained Harvey Friesen, President Executive Vice-President and also (270 miles northeast of Sioux Lookout, of Bearskin Airlines. credits the company’s employees for 400 miles northwest of Thunder Bay). the corporate culture of reliability It was founded by bush pilot Otto He added, “Customer service and commitment to customers. John Hegland, a Norwegian immigrant has played a big part in Bearskin’s who named the airline after growth. We have always tried to set “None of it would have been Bearskin Lake where he operated a up schedules that are convenient possible without their hard work general store. In 1965, his brother-in- to the traveller and can meet and dedication” said Cliff. “Our law Henri Boulanger and Bert Cone connecting flights to all communities. employees have always been took over the company. 6 Bear Country In-Flight Magazine Bottom: Hegland’s brother-in-law, Henri Boulanger, and Joe Deneve repairing a C180 at Red Lake. Top: Unloading goods from Cessna 180. Then, in 1972, Harvey Friesen – Between 1963 and 1977, Bearskin nearly impossible during winter a young and ambitious pilot who had focused on providing charter service freeze-up and spring break-up. To joined Bearskin in 1970 – bought a to the many remote First Nation overcome the problem of 50 percent share in the company. communities in northern Ontario. In communities being cut off during Five years later (1977), Harvey became 1977, Bearskin’s first scheduled service seasonal transition, the Ontario the majority owner and President. began flying passengers between government began an extensive The following year, Cliff joined the Big Trout Lake and Sioux Lookout. airfield construction program in many company as Executive Vice-President. of the remote communities. Quick to The two Friesen brothers co-owned A year later (1978), a base recognize opportunity, Bearskin began Bearskin along with Karl Friesen of operation was moved to Sioux offering scheduled air service with (unrelated), Vice-President Lookout where the company built wheeled aircraft to those communities. of Operations (he joined Bearskin in a new hangar, maintenance and In the mid 70’s, NorOntair 1973 as a pilot and minor shareholder); office facility. In 1979 a second (Ontario Northland Transportation Rick Baratta, Vice-President scheduled route was launched, this Commission) started to subcontract of Finance (since retired); and, time between Sioux Lookout and flying operations to various airlines. Brad Martin, Director of Operations. Thunder Bay and in 1980 a new base Two of their Twin Otters ­­— painted was established in Thunder Bay in full NorOntair colours — were following the purchase of On Air based in Thunder Bay and operated 1979 Ltd. Cliff Friesen subsequently by On Air Ltd until purchased by moved to Thunder Bay to oversee Bearskin Airlines in 1980. Bearskin In 1977, that base and in 1981 a third operated the NorOntair contract Harvey scheduled service was added, linking flying 3 Twin Otters until 1996. Friesen Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Winnipeg. became the In 1991, Bearskin bought two new majority Until the late 1970s, most Fairchild Metroliner aircraft and a owner and of Bearskin’s aircraft were bush year later, using the Metroliner, the President planes, float-equipped in summer and company launched non-stop service of Bearskin ski-equipped in winter. Providing between Thunder Bay and Sudbury Airlines. service to remote communities was (Northern Ontario’s two largest cities). Bear Country In-Flight Magazine 7 Congratulations Bearskin Airlines 50th Anniversary Best wishes for continued success! Bill Mauro MPP THUNDER BAY-ATIKOKAN Thunder Bay Constituency Office 240 Syndicate Ave. S. • 623-9237 www.billmauro.onmpp.ca Top: Sioux Lookout’s home base in 1977 consisted of a small camper trailer and storage shed. Bottom: Bearskin office and shop at Big Trout Lake, built in the 1980’s.