Transport Canada suspends West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate

WINNIPEG, Dec. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Transport Canada suspended West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate today, which prohibits the company from providing commercial air services. The department took this serious action in the interest of public safety because the department identified deficiencies in the company's Operational Control System. An Operational Control System ensures that a company's day-to-day actions are compliant with safety requirements for things such as the dispatching of personnel and aircraft.

On December 13, 2017, a West Wind Aviation aircraft, with 25 people onboard, crashed in Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan. Transport Canada identified deficiencies during a post-accident inspection of West Wind Aviation from December 18 to 20, 2017. As a result, in the interest of public safety, Transport Canada suspended West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate and will not allow the company to resume its commercial air service until it demonstrates compliance with aviation safety regulations.

Transport Canada takes its aviation safety oversight role very seriously and expects every air operator to fully comply with aviation safety regulations.

Quick Facts                                                                              

• Transport Canada does not hesitate to take action when regulatory non-compliance is identified which is why the department has now suspended West Wind Aviation's Air Operator Certificate.
• Transport Canada will continue to monitor West Wind Aviation's actions as it works towards compliance with aviation safety regulations.
• Transport Canada continues to support the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's investigation into the December 13 accident.

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SOURCE Transport Canada