Airline Has Until December 30 To Appeal To Transport Canada

Transport Canada suspended the air operator certificate for Buffalo Airways last Tuesday, but that does not seem to be slowing the airline down or causing much concern among its customers.

The CBC reports that the airline is using chartered aircraft to transport passengers and freight while the aircraft it owns are grounded. Transport Canada said is suspended the air operator certificate due to a poor safety record on the part of the carrier.

In a message posted to the airline's Facebook page, Buffalo Airways said it "will continue to meet our customers' needs, by any means necessary. We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received both nationally and internationally. We have the best customers and fans in the world!"

The airline was featured in the unscripted television series "Ice Pilots N.W.T." several years ago.

A spokesperson for Transport Canada said the suspension stems from an investigation of an accident at Yellowknife Airport in 2013. In an email, spokesperson Andrea Rudniski told the CBC "Following Buffalo Airways' accident at the Yellowknife Airport on Aug. 19, 2013, Transport Canada conducted several oversight activities to verify whether the company was operating safely. The results of those oversight activities led Transport Canada to suspend Buffalo Airways' Air Operator Certificate on Nov. 30, 2015.

"Transport Canada takes its aviation safety oversight role very seriously and expects every air operator to fully comply with aviation safety regulations. When air operators fail to comply with the regulations, Transport Canada takes appropriate action in the interest of public safety."

Buffalo Airways has until December 30 to request a review of the suspension, but has not said whether it plans to appeal.

(Image from Buffalo Airways Facebook page)

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