World’s First Boeing 737-800 Combi Enters Service with Canada’s Air Inuit
Air Inuit has just written its name into the history of commercial aviation. The northern Canadian airline announced that its Boeing 737-800NG Combi, the first of its kind in the world, has been certified by Transport Canada and will enter regular service on January 13, 2026, initially on the Montreal–Kuujjuaq route.
This is not merely a technical milestone. It is a direct and pragmatic response to the operational realities of the Canadian Arctic, where passengers and cargo are not separate businesses, but inseparable parts of the same mission.
A Modern Combi for a Historic Need
Combi aircraft have been a key solution for remote regions for decades. However, a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation had never before been certified in a mixed passenger-cargo configuration. Air Inuit breaks through that ceiling with a conversion that combines logistical capacity, operational efficiency, and modern comfort standards.
The aircraft was converted by KF Aerospace and features a clear, functional configuration:
- Forward cargo compartment with capacity for five pallets
- Rear cabin for 90 passengers
- Certified structural separation between cargo and passengers
This design allows a single flight to meet the critical supply and human transport needs of the Nunavik communities, a region where aviation is essential infrastructure.
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More Than an Aircraft: A Strategic Statement
Air Inuit is 100% owned by the Inuit of Nunavik through the Makivvik Corporation, and that is reflected in the project’s focus. For the airline, modernization is not just fleet renewal, but continuity of essential service.
“Our investment in this next-generation combi reflects Air Inuit’s commitment to innovation that directly serves the unique passenger and cargo needs of the communities we serve,” explained Christian Busch, President and CEO of Air Inuit.
The executive highlighted a key point: modernizing without losing flexibility, something critical in northern operations where demand can change drastically from one day to the next.
From the 737-200 to the 737-800NG: A Generational Leap
The new 737-800NG Combi is part of a fleet renewal program initiated with the acquisition of three Boeing 737-800NGs in 2023, intended to progressively replace the veteran 737-200s that sustained operations in the Canadian north for decades.
- The technical advantages are significant:
- Greater fuel efficiency
- Modern avionics
- Increased combined passenger and cargo capacity
- Improved onboard comfort
- In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity via Starlink
This last point is not minor: bringing modern connectivity to remote regions has a direct impact on the passenger experience and the perception of integration with the rest of the country.
Community and Symbolic Impact
For Air Inuit, the aircraft also has value beyond the operational. Noah Tayara, Executive Chairman of the airline, highlighted that the new 737 strengthens the company’s ability to fulfill its social and economic role in Nunavik.
Along the same lines, Pita Aatami, President of Makivvik Corporation, emphasized the project’s symbolic character: “This achievement is another example of the ingenuity of the people of Nunavik, ensuring that our region continues to prosper and remains connected.”
What’s Next: More Combis on the Way
The program is not yet complete. The conversion to a combi of the third and final 737-800NG acquired in 2023 is scheduled for February 2026, suggesting that Air Inuit is decisively betting on this hybrid operational model.
One open question, which will be key for the industry, is whether other operators in remote regions or specialized markets will follow the same path, now that the concept has been certified and proven on a widely used aircraft like the 737-800NG.
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