SkyLink Express
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | 1994 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceased operations | September 2024 | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Fleet size | 12[2] | ||||||
| Destinations | North America | ||||||
| Headquarters | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | ||||||
| Key people | Dan Rocheleau (CEO) Richard McDole (President) | ||||||
| Website | SkyLink Express | ||||||
SkyLink Express was a Canadian cargo airline headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario.[3] It operated air cargo and courier feeder flights throughout Canada and the United States, and provides on-demand air cargo charters from its bases in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton and Montréal-Mirabel. In early 2024, it filed for bankruptcy protection with the hopes of being able to restructure; however, they were unsuccessful and all operations ceased in September of 2024. Central Mountain Air has since taken over much of the courier operations that SkyLink had.
History
[edit]The airline was established in February 1994 as QuikAire Cargo Inc.[4] by Dan Rocheleau, founder and president of the airline, started the airline using the Cessna 208 Caravan to meet a specialized demand in the Canadian short-haul air cargo market and several 208B Grand Caravans are in use by the airline today.
In April 1996, QuikAire Cargo Inc. formed a partnership with SkyLink Group of Companies and rebranded itself as SkyLink Express Inc. The new relationship fostered the next stage of growth for the airline as it acquired courier feeder contracts across Canada. In 1996, SkyLink Express also became the first carrier in Canada to operate Raytheon factory-converted, all-cargo, Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. Today, the airline operates the largest Beechcraft 1900C fleet in Canada[2] and second largest in North America.[5]
In July 2009, SkyLink Express entered into a partnership with Cargojet to combine SkyLink Express operational assets and routes with a Cargojet subsidiary, Prince Edward Air, to consolidate regional air cargo operations into Cargojet Regional Partnership.[6][7][8]
In July 2010, SkyLink Express purchased 100% of Cargojet Regional Partnership from Cargojet.[9]
In August 2013, SkyLink Express expanded into Western Canada as new flight crew and maintenance bases were launched in Vancouver,[10] and Winnipeg in September 2013.[11]
Past and present courier and cargo feeder operations include UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, Altimax, Canada Post, Cargojet, Dynamex, Midland Courier, Purolator Inc. and Sameday Worldwide.
In March 2024, Skylink Express filed under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and is restructuring their businesses and financial affairs. They were unsuccessful and ceased operations later that year with Central Mountain Air taking over much of there UPS operations. [12]
Facilities
[edit]SkyLink Express maintains facilities in the following Canadian cities (as of November 2024):[13]
Fleet
[edit]The SkyLink Express fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of November 2024):[2][14]
| Aircraft | In service | Variants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft 1900 | 12 | 10 - 1900C, 2 - 1900D | Payload 5,500 lb (2,500 kg), the 1900D is not listed by SkyLink Express |
| Cessna 208 Caravan | n/a | 208B Grand Caravan | Payload 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg), listed as Cessna Grand Caravan / Super Cargomaster 208B Freighter by SkyLink Express but not registered with Transport Canada |
| Total | 12 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ICAO Designators for Canadian Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services" (PDF). Nav Canada. 11 July 2024. p. 7. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
SkyLink Express: SLQ, SKYLINK
- ^ a b c "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for SkyLink Express". Transport Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Contact Us". Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Skylink Express". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "FAA Registry - Aircraft - Make / Model Inquiry". Registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Aviation.ca - Your Number One Source for Canadian Aviation News, Jobs and Information! - Cargojet Enters into a Partnership with SkyLink Express to extend its Regional Brand". Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "AMERICAS: Cargojet + SkyLink = Cargojet Regional | Payload Asia". Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
- ^ "Canada's Cargojet buys all Prince Edward Air for US$898,109 - Shipping News - Shipping Online". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "SkyLink expands regional air cargo operations". Newswire.ca. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "BC Success for Skylink Express!". Skylinkexpress.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "SkyLink Express Inc. | LinkedIn". Archived from the original on 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Skylink Express Inc., CCAA". 18 March 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Checklist". Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Ratheon Beechcraft 1900C Freighter". Retrieved 25 November 2024.
