A local, Saskatchewan airline is among the latest organizations to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Rise Air, a combination of the former Transwest Air and West Wind Aviation, announced Wednesday that it will follow the Government of Canada mandate that all employees of federally regulated transportation sectors will need to be vaccinated. Rise Air is requiring all its employees to be vaccinated by October 31st, the same date after which passengers on scheduled Rise Air flights in and out of remote Northern Saskatchewan communities will not be allowed to board an aircraft if unvaccinated. When it comes to their employees, Rise Air says failure to comply with the policy could result in consequences up to and including unpaid leave or termination.