In 1962, Max Ward decided to expand his private commercial
airline to reach out to places across Canada and around the
world, but he found that under the regulations of the Air
Transport Board the process was very difficult.
Wardair needed licenses to fly anywhere in Canada, and when
applications were made to the Air Transport Board they were
often denied, in the same way that Canadian Pacific’s Airlines’
applications were turned down, since the main focus under
regulation was to protect the air routes of Trans Canada
Airlines. The policy was based on a belief that it was important
that Canada maintain a strong national carrier so that air
transport in the nation would not be taken over by American
carriers.
Wardair concentrated on providing charter service to
organized clubs. Max Ward continued to find resourceful ways to
keep ahead of the changing regulations that blocked many
opportunities for private airlines in Canada to be profitable.
Wardair purchased large aircraft in the 1970s and the 1980s, and
won international awards for its service. In the mid-1970s
Wardair became the largest charter airline in Canada. |