Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/70344
UPWARDLY MOBILE AIRLINE REMAINS CALM UNDER EIC OWNERSHIP by Liz Katynski "The Morbergs were very good to work with and for. They were always good about putting the profits back into the company in order to grow it," Beaurivage says. He's happy with the new owner, as well. EIC is a publicly traded company listed on the TSE. It provides airline and medical emergency services to First Nations communities in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut through Calm Air and its other companies, including Perimeter Aviation, Keewatin Air, and Bearskin Airlines. Although there is some overlap and competition among these companies, as they are now under the same ownership they can also work together to offer a wider range of services to clients with their combined fleet of 160 aircraft. And there's strength in numbers. "Being owned by Exchange Income Corporation means we don't have to worry about going to the banks for financing as we grow," Beaurivage says. "Our owners secure it for us. They maintain a company's senior management team. We submit our budgeting and business plan to them, but they don't run or try to run the company." Today Calm Air is the dominant carrier in Northern Manitoba and the Arctic, serving 65% of the marketplace in those areas. The company employs 560 people and does over $100 Photo credits: Darcy Finley million in annual business. It's the second largest employer in Thompson, home of its head office since 1985. Calm Air's scheduled network runs flights to 24 Manitoba communities daily and its charters fly throughout Northern Manitoba and into the Arctic. It has 14 aircraft, including turbo propelled and jet aircraft ranging from 32 to 46 seats, and runs extensive charter and cargo programs out of Churchill and Thompson. With more than 150 flights a day, it's a full service airline. On longer flights, like the two and a half-hour journey to Rankin Inlet, passengers enjoy light meals, individual DVD players and video games. Last year, Calm Air was named one of the top 25 employers in Manitoba and one of the top 200 employers in Canada. Staff appreciate perks like an extra week of vacation for new employees, generous benefits and a pension plan, all of which contribute to a positive atmosphere in which employees feel good about how they're treated. After four decades in the business, Beaurivage's outlook remains bright, as well. "There's never a dull moment in the aviation industry," he says. "Every day is a little different. Once aviation gets in your blood, it stays in your blood." www.calmair.com MBiz June 2012 9 NORMAN