In the 1950s, Wardair Canada provided cargo charter operations from Yellowknife to remote points in the Northwest Territories using a rugged fleet of Bristol Mk. 31 Freighters, De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter general utility bush planes. Other than local Yellowknife operator Northwest Territorial which was launched in 1962 by American transplant Bob Engle, the market was small and competition was cut-throat. Therefore, it seemed only logical expand his business to other, more profitable areas.

Thus, in the mid, 1960s Wardair Canada expanded from Northern cargo operations based in Yellowknife to the affinity passenger charter market using a small fleet of Douglas DC-6B aircraft. Affinity charters were flight specially arranged for people in common interest area associations and groups, and this afforded people much lower fares than those charged by the established airlines.