Western Canada Airways
| Founded | 1930 |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 1942 |
| Fleet size | See Aircraft below |
| Destinations | See Destinations below |
| Headquarters | Sioux Lookout, Ontario and later, Hudson, Ontario |
| Key people | James Armstrong Richardson |
Canadian Airways Limited was a Canadian regional passenger and freight air service based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It traced its history back to the founding of its precursor, Western Canada Airways, by James Richardson in 1926, and was fully established in 1930 following WCA's acquisition of a number of smaller regional competitors. At its peak, Canadian Airways had a total of 51 aircraft of various types that provided both regular scheduled service between settlements as well as charter service to bush locations. Canadian Airways was absorbed into the fledgling Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1942, following Richardson's death three years earlier.
James Armstrong Richardson established Western Canada Airways in 1926 which was later to become Canadian Airways Limited.
Over time, Richardson obtained 51 Aircraft and an assortment of top bush pilots and military pilots, all of which provided various services, particularly cargo transport, to Northwestern Canada. Whether it was financing operations, hiring and selecting personnel or selecting the best equipment for operations in Canada's tricky climate, he took a very hands on approach to running the WCA. He was also in constant contact with people throughout the aviation industry at the time, to learn and adapt efficiently. Something that made him so successful in the grain trade earlier in his career.
In 1927, he was made a Director of the Canadian Pacific Railway, something that would inevitably influence later events involving his venture.
By 1929 he had taken WCA to the #2 spot behind Imperial Airways Limited in the British Empire.
In order to expand WCA at the national level, Richardson convened a syndicate, which led to the formation of the Aviation Corporation of Canada in July 1929. The purpose of this formation was to help in the acquisition of eastern Canadian aviation companies to facilitate the planned expansion. This was done with Sir Henry Worth Thornton, representing the Canadian National Railways and Sir Edward Wentworth Beatty, of the Canadian Pacific Railways.
In 1930, Canadian Airways Limited was established after the acquisition of several aviation companies, including the previously mentioned Aviation Corporation of Canada. Richardson's goal was realized. Richardson became the president and general manager.
Richardson's advanced logistical knowledge, business sense, vision and technological innovation, allowed him to piece together a vision for Canadian Air Services heading into the future.
Air mail was the backbone of aviation at the time as it underpinned regular services and helped cover costs. Richardson was particularly worried about Canadian sovereignty. The budding challenges of international competition and eastern and western Canada's strategic interests weighed on his mind as well. Political activities of varying degrees and the great depression in particular began to take a toll through the very early 1930s.
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Wikipedia