Baffinland Iron Mines has chosen Arctic Co-operatives to transport employees and cargo from the south to its Mary River mine.

The air services contract was officially awarded in March and takes effect as of April 1.

SA国际影视传媒淭heir approach was to develop a close partnership with us rather than just a typical business-supplier relationship,SA国际影视传媒� Mark Scherer, BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 chief procurement officer, said of the rationale for selecting Arctic Co-operatives. SA国际影视传媒淭hey also outlined their ability to be versatile, reliable and work closely with us to address BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 aviation needs both now and in the future, highlighted by their pledge to provide the best possible flight experience for our employees.SA国际影视传媒�

Arranging for flight services is nothing new to Arctic Co-ops, which works with close to a dozen carriers to deliver shipments of varying sizes to its member stores across the North.

SA国际影视传媒淎rctic Co-operatives has been coordinating air transportation of all sizes and gauges for the last 47 years of our existence,SA国际影视传媒� Wilson said. SA国际影视传媒淩eally, when you look at the Mary River site SA国际影视传媒� BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 operation SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 really like another community in the Arctic. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 got its own airstrip and itSA国际影视传媒檚 got hundreds of residents, and they need transportation.SA国际影视传媒�

In this instance, the Co-op is partnering with charter carrier Chrono Aviation, which operates out of Quebec City and Saint Hubert, Que. The airlineSA国际影视传媒檚 fleet, commitment to safety and customer service and its geographical position SA国际影视传媒渁lign very well with what BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 needs are,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilson, who added that the Co-op also has access to a Boeing 767 owned by Cargojet.

Although Baffinland is aiming to grow its ratio of Northern employees, the miner has hundreds of workers who fly back and forth from the south, as well as an immense need for supplies.

Baffinland wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 reveal the value of the contract. Wilson said itSA国际影视传媒檚 a multi-year deal, but declined to provide specific terms. He said the arrangement should result in three to five flights per week for Baffinland.

Because Arctic Co-operatives comprises 32 Co-op stores across the North, which are owned locally by community members, the Mary River air services contract will pay off for many Nunavummiut as well, according to Wilson.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really excited about this because the Co-op model is one where the benefits accrue to the many,SA国际影视传媒� he said, nothing that a portion of the companySA国际影视传媒檚 earnings are returned to communities through infrastructure improvements, donations to community initiatives and cash dividends. SA国际影视传媒淏y Baffinland making this choice, theySA国际影视传媒檙e in essence making a decision to deliver economic benefits broadly throughout the communities.SA国际影视传媒�

Providing service to the Norther mining industry has been good for Arctic Co-operativeSA国际影视传媒檚 business. The company has been delivering food and supplies to Agnico Eagle in the Kivalliq since 2009.