Orca Airways has been fined $25,000 by Transport Canada in relation to four separate incidents in 2015-16.
Company president Andrew Naysmith told The NEWS he is in discussions with an airplane manufacturer and Transport Canada in relation to the fines.
“Orca Airways Ltd. has safety at the forefront of all operations and we dispute these findings,” Naysmith said in a statement emailed to The NEWS. “We are currently working with the aircraft manufacturer and Transport Canada to come to an agreement.”
Qualicum Beach Airport is one of Orca’s hubs. The airline provides service to Vancouver, Port Alberni, Tofino, Victoria and Abbotsford.
Transport Canada said “on two occasions, the company permitted an aircraft to take off with equipment that was not serviceable contrary to the conditions or limitations specified in the minimum equipment list. The company also permitted an aircraft to take off with equipment that was not serviceable when a minimum equipment list had not been approved. The company permitted an aircraft to take off that had been subjected to an abnormal occurrence without inspecting it for damage.” Transport Canada told The NEWS that once it issues a fine, a company is given the opportunity to discuss the issue with Transport Canada. The company can also appeal the fine to the Transportation Appeals Tribunal of Canada.
— NEWS Staff