Sunwest Aviation is an aircraft charter operator and fixed-base operator (FBO) based at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sunwest Aviation
IATA ICAO Call sign
- CNK[1] CHINOOK[1]
AOC #Canada: 5404[2]
United States: UNWF287F[3]
HubsCalgary International Airport
Secondary hubsEdmonton International Airport, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Fleet size30[4]
Parent companySunwest Aviation Ltd.
HeadquartersCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Websitehttps://www.sunwestaviation.ca/

History

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It was established in 1986 as Sunwest Home Aviation and rebranded with the current name in 2006.[5]

On 1 October 2014, Sunwest took over the operations of Alta Flights.[6] Along with Cenovus Energy they operate the Axe Lake Aerodrome.[7]

On 15 December 2018, Sunwest Aviation entered the fixed-base operator (FBO) business and became the official Shell AeroCentre in Calgary. In addition to being the newest FBO in Calgary, Sunwest continues to provide aircraft charter, and aircraft management for aircraft owners.

The company provides air ambulance, Sunwest AeroMedical, and medical repatriation services in addition to participating in HOPE (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange Program) by providing aero-medical services that allow for the time sensitive transportation of lifesaving organs.[8]

Fleet

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The airline has a fleet of 30 aircraft, including 15 jets.[4]

Current fleet

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Former Sunwest Aviation Bombardier Challenger 600 series

As of January 2023, Transport Canada lists the following aircraft as being in the Sunwest Fleet:[4]

Sunwest Aviation fleet
Aircraft No. of aircraft Variants Notes
Beechcraft 1900 6 1900D 19 passengers
Beechcraft Super King Air 3 Super King Air 200
Super King Air 300
1
2
Bombardier Challenger 300 4 Challenger 300
Challenger 350
Challenger 3500
2
1
1
Bombardier Challenger 600 series 3 CL-604
CL-605
2
1
Cessna Citation Sovereign 1 Model 680
Cessna CitationJet/M2 1 Model 525B
de Havilland Canada Dash 8 4 DHC-8-202
DHC-8-314
DHC-8-315
1
1
2
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner 2 SA227-DC Metro 23
Gulfstream G150 2 G150
Gulfstream G650 1 G650ER
Dassault Falcon 7X 1
Learjet 45 3
Piper PA-31 Navajo 1 PA-31-350 Chieftain

Historical fleet

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Over the years Sunwest has flown over 300 aircraft. In addition to other aircraft of the types listed above Sunwest has previously flown the following:[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ICAO Designators for Canadian Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services" (PDF). Nav Canada. 4 May 2023. p. 7. Retrieved 26 February 2023. Sunwest Aviation: CNK, CHINOOK
  2. ^ Transport Canada (8 September 2019), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
  3. ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Sunwest Aviation". Transport Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Sunwest Home Aviation". Airline History. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. ^ Alta Flights Sunwest also operates a medical repatriation program, known at Halo Medevac, transporting patients locally and internationally following a medical emergency.
  7. ^ Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Sunwest AeroMedical". Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Historical register". Transport Canada. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
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