Cameco, Orano Sign $500M 15-Year Indigenous-Owned Rise Air Transport Deal

Cameco Corporation and Orano Canada Inc. have signed a landmark 15-year, $500 million agreement with Rise Air, an Indigenous-owned airline, to provide workforce transportation services for northern Saskatchewan operations. This long-term deal marks the most significant commitment to date between the companies and Rise Air, whose previous contracts were typically three years or less, allowing Rise Air to invest in modern equipment, expand hiring, and build long-term careers for Indigenous residents. The agreement includes the purchase of three new ATR-72-600 aircraft, which can each carry up to 68 passengers, significantly enhancing the reliability and comfort of worker transportation. Rise Air's CEO Derek Nice emphasized the importance of recruiting Indigenous employees, including flight attendants, pilots, and maintenance engineers, to foster employment within the communities served. The partnership is critical to sustaining mine operations in remote locations, with Cameco and Orano expressing strong confidence in Rise Air's ability to meet their transportation needs and support regional economic development. The deal also supports initiatives like the Dziret’ai pilot training program, which aims to train and hire Indigenous pilots, contributing further to community growth and workforce development.