Nolinor Aviation announced the reintroduction of a Boeing 737-200 aircraft to its fleet, marking the first expansion in its northern division in three years. The Boeing 737-248C(A) C-GNLE was delivered to Aer Lingus 48.8 years ago as EI-ASL on 2 May 1975 powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A engines. This particular aircraft holds a unique position in the aviation industry, being the only one with a Boeing certification for gravel runway operations.
According to Flightradar24 the aircraft is based in Yellowknife (YZF), Northwest Territories.
The carrier stated “This move comes in response to the increasing demand for efficient, robust aircraft capable of operating on gravel runways, especially amid the recent surge in mining activities in Nunavut driven by the global push towards electrification.”
The aircraft was overhauled over seven months and with an expenditure exceeding $3 million, the aircraft underwent extensive mechanical refurbishments. . The Boeing 737-200, known for its adaptability to challenging northern terrains, represents a significant investment for Nolinor Aviation. Nolinor Aviation has the largest fleet of Boeing 737-200 aircraft in the world, also known for having the greatest expertise on this type of aircraft.
Boeing Canada president Charles Sullivan, said “The 737 family is uniquely equipped to operate across Canada, enabling Nolinor to fly passengers and provide essential services to remote, northern regions, backed by Boeing’s global Customer Support team, we’ll continue to support the 737-200 though the entire life of the fleet.”
Norlinor Aviation President Marco Prud’Homme, said “The consensus among aviation experts is clear – the 737-200 remains the optimal choice for serving the challenging northern regions. During the pandemic, we strategically adjusted our fleet size, but we are now returning to our previous capacity. This reinstatement is a testament to our commitment to the North and our confidence in the 737-200’s capabilities. With Boeing’s continuous support, we foresee a long and sustainable operational future for this aircraft, spanning several decades.”
Founded in 1992, Nolinor Aviation operates an air service to all regions of Québec and across Canada, the United States and multiple other destinations around the world, including remote regions where gravel and ice runways, for cargo and passenger operations
The carrier operates a fleet of 11 aircraft including 6 Boeing 737-200C(A)’s, 1 Boeing 737-300QC, 3 Boeing 737-400’s operated by subsidiary OWG, and 1 Boeing 737-800.
Image Credit: Norlinor Aviation
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 17 February 2024 All Rights Reserved
