North Cariboo Air: Canadian Charter Operator Founded in 1957 Serves Western Canada Resource Sector
Why It MattersThe carrier's mixed fleet and hub network illustrate how regional charter operators tailor varied aircraft types to serve remote resource and industrial sites underserved by scheduled airlines.
North Cariboo Air is a Canadian charter airline founded in 1957 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, operating under the ICAO code NCB with the callsign "NORTH CARIBOU." Rather than running scheduled services, the carrier focuses on charter work, including corporate, industrial, and workforce transportation across British Columbia, Alberta, and neighbouring provinces.
The airline maintains hubs at Calgary International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, Fort St. John, Vancouver, and Prince George. Its business includes dedicated corporate shuttles for oil, gas, and mining clients moving crews between hubs and remote project sites, workforce transport to remote or unpaved airstrips for forestry, natural resource, and construction operations, ad hoc charters for groups, sports teams, and corporate events, and dedicated cargo operations supporting remote communities.
The fleet consists of approximately 15–16 aircraft suited to varied airstrip conditions. It includes the BAe Avro RJ series (RJ85/RJ100) configured with around 90–100 seats for high-density corporate shuttles, the Beechcraft 1900 commuter turboprop seating 18–19 passengers, the Beechcraft King Air for smaller groups and executive transport to shorter runways, the Bombardier Dash 8 Q300, a 50-seat turboprop for routes requiring reliable performance in harsh weather, and the Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain for small-group access flights.
