NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY | 7
JUNE 2025
Perimeter Aviation Focused On Building Relationships
BY JIM TIMLICK
interior flight routes. It has since grown into one of Western Canada’s largest regional airlines. Despite its growth over the years, Perimeter Aviation hasn’t lost sight of the importance of remaining connected with the communities it serves. As part of those efforts, the company participates in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ annual Truth and Reconciliation Game and helps fly in more than 1,000 youth and adults from the north to attend the game in person. It also supports and promotes the Atik Mason Indigenous Pilot Pathway that helps train pilots at no cost to participants and hired four graduates from the first graduating class. In addition, it supports cultural events such as the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Wake the Giant Music Festival. “When you are providing a service that is so essential, the community leadership and community members expect those service providers to be in the community and to be part of the family,” Castillo says. “We feel that we’re part of that big family, and we’re all helping each other like families do. It’s essential for our business to do so.” Perhaps no investment Perimeter Aviation has made in the community has been more significant than the construction of a newly expanded 21,743-square-foot airport terminal in Winnipeg that opened earlier this year.
The new terminal can accommodate up to 250 passengers, a considerable increase from the previous 25-passenger capacity, and also includes two new departure gates, an upgraded baggage system and enhanced security measures. It also features expanded food options, improved accessibility and a lounge for elders, nursing mothers and others who require a quiet space. Custom art produced by Indigenous artists from communities such as Lac Brochet and Red Sucker Lake help add a cultural element to the look and feel of the terminal’s interior. Director of marketing and communications Charity Scantlebury says the final design of the terminal was produced following consultations with the communities Perimeter Aviation serves. Reviews of the new terminal have been overwhelmingly positive to date. “A lot of our customers need to travel because it’s a necessity. They have to go for medical appointments and things of that nature. As a result, they may have a certain level of anxiety when they’re checking in or going through security,” adds Castillo. “The new terminal was designed in a way to really invite peace and get people into a relaxed state of mind. It’s really helping customers in that way. They’re having a much better experience overall.”
For much of its 65- year history, the primary focus of Perimeter Aviation has been providing much-needed air transportation for people in remote First Nations communities in Manitoba’s north. At the same time, it’s also been about building relationships with people in the communities it serves, says Carlos Castillo, vice-president of the company’s northern division. “There’s no other way to provide an essential service without creating and fostering a good relationship with the leadership of those communities,” Castillo says. “It’s necessary to coordinate the services that we provide for them, because each community is unique and that dialogue is essential in order to succeed in this business.” Perimeter Aviation was founded in 1960 as Canada’s first private Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) School. In 1976 it transformed into a scheduled service airline after acquiring Transair’s northern
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Truth and Reconcilation game 2024. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
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