Commercial Aviation
Rise Air Orders Fourth ATR 72-600 for Northern Canada Fleet
Rise Air expands its northern Canada fleet with a fourth ATR 72-600, leased through DAE, as part of a $160M modernization program.
Saskatoon-based Rise Air has expanded its regional fleet with an order for a fourth new ATR 72-600, leased through Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), to support workforce transportation and community connectivity in northern Canada.
Announced in a press release on July 27, 2026, the acquisition continues a major capital investment for the 100% Indigenous-owned airline. Rise Air President and Chief Executive Officer Derek Nice noted that the order “builds on a fleet renewal program that has included more than $160 million in fleet modernization over the past four years.” The 68-seat turboprop is scheduled for delivery in late 2026, with entry into commercial service expected in early 2027.
Fleet modernization and operational performance
Rise Air became the Canadian launch customer for the ATR 72-600 following a three-aircraft agreement signed in November 2024. Transport Canada (TC) certified the aircraft type for Canadian operations in November 2025, and the carrier’s first three aircraft entered service in early 2026. The aircraft are equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT engines and are specifically utilized for their gravel-runway capabilities and extreme cold-weather performance.
According to the airline, the initial fleet integration has been successful across its northern Saskatchewan network. Nice stated that the first three aircraft met the company’s expectations for performance, passenger experience, and manufacturer support during their first months of operation.
“Adding a fourth aircraft gives our existing and future customers additional capacity and will lead to additional highly skilled jobs for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight operations teams and other employees across our bases,” Nice said.
Growing ATR presence in the Canadian market
The ATR 72-600 is increasingly being adopted for remote and specialized operations within Canada. Beyond Rise Air’s passenger and workforce transport network, other operators are selecting the type for similar demanding environments. In early 2025, Hydro-Québec placed an order for the ATR 72-600 to replace older turboprop aircraft used for employee transportation.
The manufacturer notes that the ATR 72-600 offers a 45% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to similar-sized regional jets. This efficiency, combined with the ability to operate from unpaved surfaces, positions the aircraft as a practical replacement for aging regional fleets operating in Canada’s northern territories.
AirPro News analysis
We view Rise Air’s rapid follow-on order as a strong validation of the ATR 72-600’s utility in the Canadian north. Operating from gravel strips in extreme cold requires specific performance characteristics that few modern, in-production aircraft can provide. The involvement of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise also indicates growing lessor confidence in placing new-build turboprops with specialized regional operators. As older aircraft types age out of the Canadian market, the ATR 72-600 is establishing a solid foothold for essential remote connectivity.
Sources: Rise Air
Photo Credit: Rise Air