Quebec-based Air Inuit announces new CEO
Christian Busch, a long-time Air Inuit employee, has been named the new president and chief executive officer of the Quebec-based airline.
“His proven success in building long-term relationships with Nunavimmiut, our stakeholders, customers, and regulators hasn’t gone unnoticed,” Air Inuit board chairman Noah Tayara said in a news release on Tuesday announcing the appointment.
“Over the years he has played a big role in growing and innovating the business, and most importantly his recognition of our dedicated Air Inuit employees make him the best choice to lead Air Inuit.”
The appointment was effective April 1, 2021.
Strategic times ahead
Busch most recently served as Air Inuit’s executive vice president and chief operation officer and has been with the company since 2002, the news release said.
Busch will succeed former Air Inuit President and CEO Pita Aatami who resigned from the position to run for president of Makivik Corporation, the Inuit land claims organization for Nunavik, the Inuit region of Arctic Quebec. The corporation is also the owner of Air Inuit.
Aatami won the election for Makivik Corporation president in February.
In the news release on Tuesday put out by Makivik Corporation, the organization said the highly specialized world of northern aviation makes Busch’s experience especially valuable.
“I’m pleased to welcome and support Christian in his new role,” Aatami said.
“In my years as Air Inuit president I worked very closely with Christian, his dedication to Air Inuit as well as his knowledge of the airline industry were very apparent. I have no doubts that our airline will be in good hands, and I look forward to working with Christian in his new role.”
Nunavik has a population of approximately 13,000 people, with 14 communities in the region. The communities are fly-in only.
Air Inuit serves all destinations in Nunavik, as well as six destinations elsewhere in Quebec: Montreal, Quebec City, La Grande, Schefferville and Sept-îles and Wabush.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Remote Canadian community’s request for direct flight to Arctic Nunavut territory can no longer be ignored says, CBC News
Finland: Cold weather perfect to pioneer electric aviation says Finnair, The Independent Barents Observer
Greenland: Air links between Canada, Alaska, Greenland & Siberia could be building blocks for economic development says Quebec Inuit leader, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Modernizing Arctic aviation infrastructure among recommendations at Russian meeting, Eye on the Arctic
United States: Airline shutdown creates new challenges for rural Alaska, The Associated Press
