
39
Routes
6
Hubs
BLS
ICAO
JV
IATA
TravelerPulse profile
Connecting remote Northern Ontario communities by air.
Founded
1963
Headquarters
Thunder Bay, Canada
Bearskin Lake Air Service is a regional Canadian airline based in Northern Ontario, providing essential air transportation to remote and fly-in communities that have limited or no road access. The airline serves Indigenous and northern communities across a vast geographic area, functioning as a critical lifeline for passengers, cargo, and mail.
Founded in the mid-20th century, Bearskin Airlines has grown to become one of the prominent regional carriers in Northern Ontario and Northwestern Ontario. The airline operates scheduled passenger services as well as charter flights, supporting communities in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and surrounding regions.
Bearskin Airlines is known for its role in supporting remote community connectivity, often operating under challenging weather and terrain conditions. The carrier has been an important part of the regional aviation infrastructure in Ontario for decades.
Hubs & network
Bearskin Airlines operates primarily out of Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout, serving numerous remote communities across Northern Ontario.
Fleet
Bearskin Airlines operates a fleet of turboprop aircraft, historically including Raytheon Beechcraft 1900 and similar regional turboprops suited for short northern runways.
Notable facts
- ›Bearskin Airlines serves many fly-in communities in Northern Ontario with no road access.
- ›The airline operates under the IATA code JV and ICAO code BLS with callsign BEARSKIN.
- ›It provides vital mail and cargo services alongside passenger transport to remote Indigenous communities.
- ›Bearskin Airlines operates in some of the most challenging weather conditions in Canada.
- ›The airline has been a key regional carrier in Northwestern and Northern Ontario for over five decades.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
Primary hubs
Route network map (39 legs)












Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Route network
YAG → YQKSWM
YQD → YFOSWM
YQT → YWGSWM
YQT → YXLSWM
YRL → YWGSWM
YRL → YXLSWM
YWG → YQDSWM
YXL → YQTSWM
YXL → YRLSWM
YHD → YQKSWM
YHD → YRLSWM
YQD → YWGSWM
YQK → YAGSWM
YQK → YWGSWM
YSB → YTSSWM
YSB → YYBSWM
YWG → YFOSWM
YXL → YAGSWM
YAG → YQTSWM
YAM → YSBSWM
YHD → YQTSWM
YQK → YHDSWM
YQT → YAGSWM
YQT → YAMSWM
YRL → YHDSWM
YSB → YAMSWM
YSB → YQTSWM
YTS → YSBSWM
YWG → YRLSWM
YXL → YHDSWM
YYB → YSBSWM
YYU → YTSSWM
YAM → YQTSWM
YFO → YQDSWM
YHD → YXLSWM
YQT → YTSSWM
YTS → YYUSWM
YWG → YQKSWM
YYU → YQTSWM
Fleet (aircraft types operated)
Encyclopaedia
Bearskin Lake Air Service LP, operating as Bearskin Airlines, is a regional airline based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It is a division of Perimeter Aviation and operates services in northern Ontario and Manitoba. Its main base is at Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT), with a hub at Greater Sudbury Airport (YSB).
Read full article on WikipediaLatest news
Northwest Ontario News· 9/19/2023
Harvey Friesen named to national Aviation Hall of Fame
Read at Northwest Ontario News
Skies Mag· 9/18/2023
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame welcomes 2023 inductees
Read at Skies Mag
Northern Ontario Business· 9/19/2023
Northwestern Ontario 'pioneer' inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame
Read at Northern Ontario Business
Vertical Mag· 2/2/2012
Exchange Income Corporation Completes Acquisition of Custom Helicopters Ltd.
Read at Vertical Mag
NetNewsLedger· 11/11/2013
Bearskin Airlines Solid Safety Record
Read at NetNewsLedger
CBC· 1/12/2012
Custom Helicopters sold for $29M
Read at CBC
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