Northwestern Air Lease is bringing an end to its passenger flights. 

In an update published on its website, the Fort Smith-based airline announced that it will be making its final scheduled flight mid-month.

"Northwestern Air Lease regrets to inform our customers and business partners that our last scheduled flight will be Jan. 16, 2025," the statement reads. "We will be continuing flights in our small Cessna aircraft. We want to thank everyone for their support over the years."

The update notes that Yellowknife-based airline Air Tindi is "attempting to have a solution in place" by the time of Northwestern's final flight. It also states that Air Tindi is "targeting a more permanent solution," which should be finalized in early spring.

Northwestern Air was founded in 1965. It began operating passenger services in 1984. As of 2024, it offered scheduled passenger flights in six communities in Alberta and the NWT, including Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith. 

The airline has faced challenges in recent years, notably a severe pilot shortage that caused it to cut back on flights in 2022, just as travel was resuming after the pandemic.