Transwest Air looking to make food cheaper in northern Sask.

Transwest Air is looking at purchasing a C295W military aircraft to be able to transport more cargo to remote communities such as Stony Rapids.

While many northern communities don’t have runways, this aircraft can land on a small patch of grass. It can also hold 18,000 pounds of cargo.

The hope is Transwest Air will be able to send more milk, at a cheaper price.

“Transporting milk is very heavy,” said vice-president of Transwest Air, Garrett Lawless. “That’s why it costs so much for the people of the north, and that’s why they have health and diet challenges.”

The aircraft, made by Airbus Defence and Space, was showcased at the Saskatoon airport on Monday.

It was part of a demonstration tour across the country to show the plane’s toughness in Canada’s diverse and extreme weather conditions.

Mexican Air Force members were on hand to show off the plane; the country has 16 of their own in operation.

They made a stop in Prince Albert earlier in the morning, and plan on heading to Yellowknife and Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories, later this week.

“We want to show airlines how versatile this aircraft is in the north,” said Head of Airbus Military Aircraft in Canada, Pablo Molina Perez. “This plane will help remote communities get their supplies.”

Transwest Air hopes to buy one in the next two years.

Canadian Military

The Canadian Military doesn’t have any of these planes in their operation, but the company is in talks with them.

“It is true we’re trying to sell to the Canadian military,” Molina Perez said. “We have given them a proposal.”

The plane isn’t in operation in North America, but Molina Perez said they have four airlines interested.