Company Says Chartering Airplanes Is Not A Long-Term Solution

Transport Canada's suspension of the air operator certificate for Buffalo Airways is dragging into January, with the struggling carrier cancelling all passenger flights because it cannot afford to continue to operate chartered aircraft for that purpose.

Transport Canada suspended Buffalo Airways' authorization to operate over safety concerns with its aging DC-3 airplanes.

In an interview with MyYellowKnifeNow.com, Buffalo Airways' Mikey McBryan, who is listed on the airline's website as being responsible for "Charter Information and Quotes", said that "the feud between my father ('Buffalo' Joe McBryan) and Transport Canada has been well-documented." Mikey said that his father is stepping away from day-to-day operations and management of the airline, but he would continue to fly the venerable DC-3s, which he loves.

Consultant Sol Taboada with DTI Training ... which was engaged by the airline to help it meet Transport Canada's requirement ... said in the interview that Transport Canada has declined to approve the airline's attempts at corrective action. He said that while the airline is a strong supporter of Transport Canada's processes, but it sometimes is lacking in implementation.

Taboada said that in the reality TV series Ice Pilots, which focused on Buffalo Airways, Joe McBryan "made Transport Canada look silly a lot of times. I don't know if that’s part of it. I don’t know if it’s his arrogant attitude – and he did have an arrogant attitude." Taboada said is is his impression that Transport Canada wants the elder McBryan to be removed from the company.

Mikey McBryan said that the airline is currently "day-to-day" with its operations, and the long-term viability of Buffalo Airways is in no way a sure thing. He did say that layoffs are something that the company is trying hard to avoid.

When contacted, Transport Canada said that it is continuing to work with the airline to address the agency's safety concerns.

(Image from Buffalo Airways via Facebook)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/menu.htm