West Wind Aviation (Saskatoon) is looking at a major network expansion on both existing and new, out-of-state routes. The Saskatoon StarPhoenix has reported that the airline is also mulling adding more Saab (Sweden) 340 turboprops.
The network expansion entails increasing the frequency of the carrier's key service from Saskatoon to Regina to 3x daily, effective November 19, 2018. The route is served by West Wind's fully-owned virtual carrier subsidiary Express Air (Canada) (Saskatoon) with Beech 1900D equipment.
In addition, the carrier is also eyeing launching maiden services beyond the state of Saskatchewan. New CEO Michael Rodyniuk said that West Wind would like to fly "north, south, east, and west" from Saskatchewan. The expansion would be possible given the underutilisation of the carrier's Beech 1900Ds after some uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan were closed. West Wind Aviation used to operate commuter flights to these mines.
Currently, West Wind through another subsidiary, Transwest Air (Prince Albert), operates scheduled services within Saskatchewan connecting Saskatoon, Fond du Lac, SK, Stony Rapids, Points North Landing, Wollaston Lake, La Ronge, and Prince Albert. The carrier's main brand is used predominantly for charter services.
Rodyniuk also said that the carrier would consider adding more Saabs for Transwest Air with both cargo and passenger-carrying capabilities.
West Wind Aviation together with its two subsidiaries operates seven Beech 1900Ds, four Beech King Air 200s, two Jetstream 31s, three Cessna 401s, four ATR42-300s, four DHC-6s, one Saab 340A(QC), and three Saab 340Bs.
The carrier recently experienced a half-year-long grounding after a crash of one of its ATR42s near Fond du Lac in December 2017. Its Air Operator's Certificate was reinstated in May 2018.
