As of April 2025, Les Investment Nolinor Inc., which operates Nolinor Airlines, dominated the world's largest Boeing 737-200 operator.
The airline is a Canadian Charter Airlines located in Mirabel, Quebec, just outside Montreal, with five of the 44 still in use worldwide. In 1,114 constructions.
Founded in 1992, Nolinor began operations in 1997 and employs 200 employees under President Marco Prud'Homme. Its main base is Montreal Mirabel International Airport (YMX). Specializing in passenger rental and cargo flights across North America and Europe, the Nolinor's 737-200s equipped with a gravel kit is perfect for unpaved runways in northern Canada, cementing their dominance in the faded fleet.
This iconic jet use makes Nolinor essential for remote communities and industries that no other jets can’t serve.
Boeing 737-200 fleet is the backbone of Norino
Nolinor’s five Boeing 737-200s are the cornerstone of its position as the largest operator of this historic jet. The four are Combis passenger/cargo aircraft (Combis) that can be configured to have a maximum of 119 passengers, while the one (CC-GNRD) is exclusively for cargo operations only. This type is capable of carrying payloads up to 30,000 pounds.
Anywhere between nearly 41 and 51 years old, these jets are equipped with gravel kits that can operate on non-paved runways (lined, gravel or ice) in northern northern Canada.
The 737-200 has a unique location and is the only jet certified by Boeing Landing Gravel Runway, which is a key capability to operate [northern Canada] Where infrastructure is restricted.
Marco Prud'Homme, President of Nolinor Aviation
As stated in an interview in 2024, this ability is crucial.
“The 737-200 has a unique location and is the only jet certified by Boeing’s landing gravel runway, which is a key capability to operate [northern Canada] “In places with limited infrastructure, there is a lack of road networks in the northern region, and permafrost makes it impractical to build traditional paved roads. Therefore, the most effective and safest way to access mining projects is to use gravel runways for air,” Prud'Homme said.
With bases at Mirabel (YMX), Montréal Metropolitan Airport in St. Hubert (YHU), Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta, Yellowknife Airport (YZF) in the Northwest Territories, and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) in Manitoba, Nolinor leverages its 737-200s to connect Canada's north, where infrastructure is scarce.
C-GNLK: The oldest jetliner in commercial services
The crown jewelry of the Nolinor fleet is C-GNLK. Not only is it the oldest Boeing 737 today, It is also the oldest jetliner in commercial operation anywhere in the world. With the 356th 737-200 of the Washington Parliamentary Line of Boeing Renton, the 51-year-old aircraft entered service with KLM Transavia in May 1974.
It operated Florida Airlines in the United States for a short period of 23 turnovers (June-December 1983) and based on Anchorage Markle (January 1984 to May 1984), but spent most of his time in Europe before joining Nolinor. Its endurance demonstrates the strong design of the 737-200 and the maintenance expertise of the Nolinor, which has been licensed internally since June 1999.
Of the 1,114 Boeing 737-200s ever built, 44 still fly today
Nolinor's five 737-200s account for more than 10% of the 44 still active globally, which is an excellent share of one operator. this 737-200the company served with United Airlines in 1968 and saw the last commercial passenger flight with Aloha Airlines on March 31, 2008, ending production in August 1988 with 114 delivery to Xiamen Airlines. Other operators include:
| airline | nation | Quantity of 737-200s |
|---|---|---|
| Aerolínease stelar Latino América | Venezuela 🇻🇪 | 1 |
| Air results | Colombia🇨🇴 | 2 |
| Inuit | Canada 🇨🇦 | 4 (3 activities) |
| Zimbabwe Airlines | Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 | 1 |
| Ameristal | USA | 1 |
| Aviatsa | Honduras 🇭🇳 | 2 |
| Airline | Venezuela 🇻🇪 | 1 |
| Basic capital management | USA | 1 (Parking) |
| Buffalo Airlines | Canada 🇨🇦 | 1 (Delivered in March 2025) |
| Air Canada Congo | Republic of Congo🇨🇬 | 1 |
| Timed aviation | Canada 🇨🇦 | 1 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo Air Force | Democratic Republic of Congo🇨🇩 | 1 |
| Ecuadorian Air Force | Ecuador | 1 |
| Glencore Canada | Canada 🇨🇦 | 2 |
| Hara Airlines | Somalia🇸🇴 | 1 |
| IBM Airlines | Kenya🇰🇪 | 1 |
| Indian Air Force | India 🇮🇳 | 3 |
| Indonesian Air Force | Indonesia 🇮🇩 | 4 |
| Jayawijaya Dirgantara | Indonesia 🇮🇩 | 1 |
| Mexican Air Force | Mexico 🇲🇽 | 1 |
| Penis air | Kenya🇰🇪 | 1 |
| Seair International | the Philippines | 1 |
| Sky Capital Cargo | Bangladesh 🇧🇩 | 1 |
| Trans air | USA | 1 |
| TransAir | USA | 2 (parking) |
| US Air Force | USA | 1 |
| Venezuela | Venezuela 🇻🇪 | 1 |
source: Planespotters.net
Nolinor's five Boeing 737-200s outnumber all other operators, many of whom only fly one or two.
Nolinor Aviation’s operating environment and challenges
While the 737-200 is the backbone of Nolino, its fleet of ten includes a 737-300QC (fast changes between cargo and passengers, with a capacity of up to 130 passengers), three 737-400 (up to 159 passengers) and one 737-800. A 737-400 is operated by OWG (WE OFF) airline, a Nolinna branch focusing on concession flights for Caribbean rental destinations, while the 737-800 also supports OWG. (At the time of writing, OWG's 737-400 stops at Miami International Airport (MIA), while the 737-800 is operate Internal Canadian route. This raises questions about whether OWG is achieving its expected tasks. The business, launched during the pandemic, seems to have been working hard to attract people. )
However, only 737-200 can handle the gravel runway, making it impossible to replace operations in the north.
As shown in the November 2024 event, an incident involving Nolinor’s 737-400s C-GGGWX posed the challenge of aging aircraft. On a flight from Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) to Newfoundland and Labrador Wabush Airport (YWK), the pilot discovered that the left main landing gear did not extend when at the middle station of Saguenay-Bagotville Airport (YBG) in Québec.
The aircraft chose to transfer to the YMX, landed safely but suffered significant damage. All 87 passengers and crew were not injured. Although not the 737-200, the event highlights the complexity of running older jets.
Unique roles of 737-200: Lifeline in the North
this Boeing 737-200Nolinor's unique role in operations stems from its unrivalled ability to operate on gravel runways, and no other jet capabilities can be replicated in commercial services. Remote areas in northern Canada are characterized by long distances, permafrost and minimal infrastructure, which depend largely on air transport.
Gravel kits of 737-200 – Special modifications including reinforced landing gear, protective cover and anti-slip systems that can enable it to land on unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel or ice, which are common in mining camps, indigenous communities and exploration sites. These runways, often carved from rugged terrain, are the only viable access points, and the roads are not present or impractical as permafrost destroys the stability of traditional sidewalks.
For Nolinor, the 737-200 is not only an aircraft, but also a lifeline, which can provide necessary supplies, equipment and personnel to places that are inaccessible through other means. The combined configuration of jets allows them to carry up to 119 passengers or 30,000 pounds of cargo, adapting to various needs, whether to transport workers to mining projects or to deliver food and medical supplies to remote villages.
This flexibility is crucial in an area with extreme seasonal weather from Arctic blizzards to mud melting, which makes logistics even more complicated. The ability of the 737-200 to operate under these conditions combined with its injection speeds, slower turboprops have significant advantages, reducing transit time and improving efficiency of time-sensitive cargoes such as perishable goods or emergency mechanical parts.
Unlike new jets that require long paving runways, the 737-200 can enter short, basic airplane runs, carved into the wilderness, usually less than 5,000 feet. This capability keeps the jet's demand for mining companies, government contracts and community support, which are the main links to the outside world. For example, Nolinor's bases in Yellowknife (YZF) and Edmonton (YEG) positioned its 737-200 location to serve the Northwest and Alberta-rich areas where the gravel runway is standard.
The 737-200's solid versatility also appeals to aviation enthusiasts and historians, who marvel at its ability to thrive in the modern jet environment. However, this unique role comes with responsibility – Nonore's internal maintenance ensures that these aging jets remain motivated, a task that becomes even more critical due to its professional operation.
Nolinor is looking forward to the reason for making it ticked
Nolinor plans to introduce environmentally friendly, hybrid wings Natilus Kona At the end of the decade, cargo aircraft marked the driving force for modernization. Until then, its 737-200 was still essential, connecting northern Canada with unparalleled capabilities.
The largest operator of this iconic jet, Nolinor Aviation retains a piece of aviation legacy while serving some of the world’s most challenging routes, attracting those eager for the aviation era.
They can be huge and absolutely smoky. But the Boeing 737-200 is a beautiful engineering masterpiece. It's nice to know they won't be going anywhere anytime soon – at least at Nolinor Aviation.
