Canada's Competition Bureau opposes First Air and Canadian North merger

27 February, 2019

Canada's Competition Bureau determined (26-Feb-2019) the proposed merger of First Air with Canadian North by ownership group Makivik Corporation and Inuvialuit Corporate Group will likely decrease competition in passenger and cargo services, increase costs and reduce services. As previously reported by CAPA, the ownership group planned to complete the merger transaction by the end of 2018. The Bureau noted the transaction will likely affect Ottawa-Iqaluit and Trans-Arctic services, services between Yellowknife and Inuvik and services to the Qikiqtaaluk and Kitikmeot regions. The Bureau expects the transaction will create a merger-to-monopoly on most of these areas. A decision on the proposed merger will be made by the Cabinet. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - II]