Rise Air Expands Fleet to Better Serve Northern Saskatchewan 

November 5, 2026 in News
Explorer: Fall 2026

For many people in northern Saskatchewan, air travel connects families, transports students to educational institutions, patients to healthcare, and workers to job sites, while delivering essential goods to communities with limited road access. Rise Air, a company jointly owned by Athabasca Basin Development (ABD) and Prince Albert Development Corporation, is investing in newer aircraft to strengthen those connections. 

In 2026, Rise Air welcomed three new ATR 72-600 aircraft, the first of their kind in Canada and we upgraded our scheduled service fleet to the ATR 42-500, significantly increasing cargo capacity and seat availability. A fourth aircraft is now on order, with delivery expected by the end of 2026 and service planned for early 2027. These aircraft are part of a fleet renewal program that has seen more than $160 million in investment over the past four years. 

Each ATR 72-600 can carry 68 passengers and is designed to operate on short and gravel runways, making it well suited to regional transportation and to northern Saskatchewan’s often challenging conditions. For passengers, the aircraft offers a quieter, more comfortable cabin, improved heating and cooling, more legroom, and larger overhead storage. New technology also helps pilots operate safely and efficiently. But the benefits go beyond the aircraft themselves. 

“Introducing the ATR 72-600 is about delivering modern, safe, and reliable air transportation to remote work sites and infrastructure projects vital to Saskatchewan’s economy. These operations support employment and GDP growth across the province, particularly in the north,” says Rise Air President and CEO Derek Nice. 

The fourth aircraft will provide additional capacity for workforce transportation, charter flights and other services. It is also expected to create more skilled jobs for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and other aviation professionals. 

Alongside the new ATR 72-600 aircraft, Rise Air is upgrading its smaller ATR 42 fleet to carry more cargo while continuing to transport passengers. This is especially important for remote communities that rely on air service for groceries, supplies and other essential shipments, particularly when winter roads are unavailable. The newer aircraft are also more fuel-efficient, reducing emissions and supporting dependable service across the North. For Dan Gold, Rise Air’s Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations, the investment is about looking ahead. “We are investing in the future of Rise Air… in creating opportunities,” he says. 

The fleet renewal has been made possible by the work of Rise Air employees and by partnerships with customers, aircraft manufacturers and other organizations. While new aircraft are an important step forward, their greatest value will be measured by how well they serve people: helping northern residents stay connected, supporting employment and making it easier to move people and goods across Saskatchewan.