Air Alma

Air Alma was a small Canadian regional airline based in Alma, Quebec, that operated for more than four decades before ceasing business in 2002. Its corporate history began in 1959 under the name Metrolitan Air Services. The company was renamed Alma Air Services in 1960 and adopted the Air Alma name in 1980. The successive names reflected the airline's development around Alma and the wider Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region rather than the creation of an entirely new carrier. During the early 1980s, Air Alma was a modest operation with approximately 52 employees. Roland Simard was identified as its president, and the fleet at that time included two Cessna 404 aircraft. The airline combined several forms of regional aviation work, including charter flights and air-ambulance services. Its fleet over time also included such aircraft as the Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, Bell 206, Piper PA-31, Learjet 24, Embraer EMB 110 and EMB 120, and Cessna 404 Titan. This mixture indicates a business model built around flexibility: smaller aircraft could support local and specialized operations, while larger turboprop or jet equipment could be used on scheduled or higher-demand routes. Air Alma expanded its scheduled presence through commercial relationships with larger carriers. In 1989, it signed an interline agreement with Air Canada and began operating the Ottawa–Toronto route, with the first flight reported on March 1 of that year. The airline also acquired a Learjet 24 during 1989. Separately, Air Alma was a partner of Canadian Airlines until Canadian Airlines ended its independent operations in 2001 and was absorbed into Air Canada. These relationships connected a locally based carrier to the national airline system, although they also left Air Alma exposed to changes in the structure of Canada's regional aviation market. The airline served destinations including Alma, Roberval, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Wabush, Chute-des-Passes, Chibougamau and Bagotville. Its Montreal–Alma service became the core of the business. Air Alma also maintained a significant local profile. In 1995, when Alma hosted the 35th Quebec Summer Games, the airline served as the event's official carrier. The company was therefore both a transportation provider and a visible regional institution. Competitive and structural pressures intensified near the end of Air Alma's life. In 2000, it became involved in a dispute with Air Creebec concerning landing slots at Alma. The dispute was politically sensitive because Air Creebec was affiliated with Air Canada, while Air Alma's Montreal service was central to its own business. After Canadian Airlines ceased operations in 2001, Air Canada had to determine how Canadian's regional affiliates would fit into its network. The September 11, 2001 attacks then contributed to a sharp decline in Air Alma's passenger traffic: the available account reports a 50 percent reduction in passenger numbers and the layoff of 60 employees. On January 9, 2002, Air Alma ended its Alma–Montreal route. The airline subsequently ceased to exist in 2002, ending 43 years of aviation operations.

Air Alma's roots date to 1959, when it was established as Metrolitan Air Services. In 1960, the company changed its name to Alma Air Services, and in 1980 it adopted Air Alma. The airline was based in Alma, Quebec, and developed as a regional operator serving the surrounding area and other Canadian destinations. The company was relatively small. In the early 1980s it employed about 52 people, with Roland Simard serving as president. Its fleet then included two Cessna 404s, and its activities included charter work and air-ambulance flying. Other aircraft associated with the airline over its operating life included the Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, Bell 206, Piper PA-31, Learjet 24, Embraer EMB 110, Embraer EMB 120 and Cessna 404 Titan. Air Alma later pursued relationships that connected it with Canada's larger airline network. An interline agreement with Air Canada was reported in 1989, and the carrier operated an Ottawa–Toronto service whose first flight was reported on March 1 of that year. A Learjet 24 was also acquired in 1989. Air Alma was additionally a partner of Canadian Airlines until Canadian Airlines ceased operations and merged into Air Canada in 2001. Its route network included Alma, Roberval, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Wabush, Chute-des-Passes, Chibougamau and Bagotville. The Montreal–Alma route was particularly important to the business. Air Alma's regional identity was reinforced in 1995 when it became the official carrier of the 35th Quebec Summer Games, hosted in Alma. The airline faced growing competitive and network pressures at the end of the 1990s and beginning of the 2000s. In 2000, Air Alma disputed Air Creebec's access to landing slots at Alma. Air Creebec's relationship with Air Canada made the issue especially consequential after the Canadian Airlines merger. The post-September 11 aviation downturn further weakened Air Alma: the available account reports that passenger numbers fell by half and that 60 employees were laid off. Air Alma terminated its Alma–Montreal route on January 9, 2002, and ceased operations later in 2002.

• 2002

  Route termination and closure

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  The Alma–Montreal route ends on January 9, and Air Alma ceases to exist during 2002.

• 2001

  Traffic and employment contraction

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  After the September 11 attacks, reported passenger numbers fall by 50 percent and 60 employees are laid off.

• 1995

  Official carrier of the Quebec Summer Games

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Air Alma serves as official carrier for the 35th Quebec Summer Games in Alma.

• 1989

  Air Canada interline and Ottawa–Toronto service

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Air Alma signs an interline agreement with Air Canada and begins the reported Ottawa–Toronto service.

• 1980

  Renamed Air Alma

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Alma Air Services adopts the Air Alma brand.

• 1960

  Renamed Alma Air Services

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  The company changes its name from Metrolitan Air Services to Alma Air Services.

• 1959

  Metrolitan Air Services is founded

  [1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  The airline begins its corporate history as Metrolitan Air Services in Canada.

A locally based Quebec regional airline serving communities around Alma through scheduled flights, charters, medical aviation and connections with larger Canadian carriers.

• Passenger airline services

  Scheduled regional passenger services

  Air Alma operated regional passenger flights linking its Alma base with destinations in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. The Alma–Montreal route was especially important to the airline, while reported destinations also included Roberval, Toronto, Ottawa, Wabush, Chute-des-Passes, Chibougamau and Bagotville. Aircraft used for this work included Embraer turboprops and other regional types.

• Charter aviation

  Charter flights

  Charter flying was one of Air Alma's operating activities, particularly during its earlier years. The service complemented scheduled routes and allowed the small carrier to deploy aircraft for individually arranged passenger or organizational transportation rather than only fixed timetable operations.

• Medical aviation

  Air-ambulance services

  Air Alma also provided air-ambulance services. This formed part of the airline's broader regional role, using its aircraft and operating capability for medical transportation in addition to commercial passenger flying and charters.

• 1995Quebec Summer Games official-carrier partnership

  Quebec, Canada

  Air Alma was the official carrier for the 35th Quebec Summer Games, held in Alma. The partnership gave the locally based airline a formal transportation role in a major regional sporting event.

  Outcome. The event association reinforced Air Alma's visibility as an Alma-based regional carrier.

  Source

• 2002

  Termination of the Alma–Montreal routeStrategy

  Background

  The route was central to Air Alma's business, but the airline faced competition, network uncertainty and a severe post-September 11 traffic decline.

  Action taken

  Air Alma discontinued Alma–Montreal service on January 9.

  Aftermath

  The route closure preceded the airline's cessation during 2002.

  Source

• 1990

  Creation of Air Quebec MetroStrategy

  Background

  Air Alma briefly pursued a subsidiary structure for regional aviation activity.

  Action taken

  Air Quebec Metro was formed as a subsidiary.

  Aftermath

  The subsidiary ceased operations in the same year.

  Source

• 1989

  Air Canada interline arrangementStrategy

  Background

  Air Alma sought connections with the national airline network while operating as a small regional carrier.

  Action taken

  It signed an interline agreement with Air Canada and operated the Ottawa–Toronto route.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement expanded Air Alma's participation in the Canadian connecting-airline system.

  Source

• 1980

  Adoption of the Air Alma nameStrategy

  Background

  The airline had operated as Alma Air Services since 1960.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name to Air Alma.

  Aftermath

  Air Alma became the brand used for the remainder of the airline's operating history.

  Source

• 2002

  Air Alma terminates the Alma–Montreal route[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The airline ended its core Alma–Montreal service on January 9, a major step toward its eventual shutdown.

• 2002

  Air Alma ceases operations[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Air Alma ceased to exist in 2002 after 43 years of aviation activity.

• 2001

  Canadian Airlines ends independent operations[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Canadian Airlines ceased independent operations and merged into Air Canada, creating uncertainty for affiliated regional operators including Air Alma.

• 2001

  Air Alma reports severe traffic decline after September 11[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following the September 11 attacks, Air Alma reportedly experienced a 50 percent fall in passenger numbers and laid off 60 employees.

• 2000

  Air Alma and Air Creebec dispute Alma landing slots[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The airlines became involved in a dispute over landing slots at Alma as Air Creebec sought access to the airport.

• 1995

  Air Alma becomes official carrier of the Quebec Summer Games[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Air Alma was named the official carrier for the 35th Quebec Summer Games held in Alma.

• 1990

  Air Quebec Metro begins and ends operations[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Air Quebec Metro operated briefly as an Air Alma subsidiary and ceased operations within the same year.

• 1989

  Air Alma signs an interline agreement with Air Canada[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The agreement supported Air Alma's operation of the Ottawa–Toronto route, which reportedly began flying on March 1.

• 1989

  Air Alma acquires a Learjet 24[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  The airline added a Learjet 24 to its fleet during a period of scheduled and specialized regional operations.

• 1980

  Air Alma adopts its present name[1]Air Almaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Alma Air Services was renamed Air Alma, establishing the brand name used during the airline's later operating period.

1. 1Air Almaen.wikipedia.org