Transport Canada shuts down Quebec airline
By BEATRICE FANTONI, The Montreal Gazette
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| The Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the June 23 crash of an Aeropro flight that killed seven people near the Quebec City airport. |
The Quebec-based airline Aeropro must close down its air transport operations. On Saturday, a Federal Court judge upheld Transport Canada's decision to revoke the airline's operating certificate for repeated violations of Canadian aviation rules.
A recent audit of Aeropro showed "significant shortcomings with respect to management and air operations and also with respect to training," Transport Canada said in a statement. "The company is no longer able to show that it is operating safely," said ministry spokesperson Denise Langis.
"The situation is regrettable," Aeropro spokesperson Stephane Dion told the Gazette, "especially since safety has always been a priority for Aeropro." The airline's management is "analyzing all possible scenarios," Dion said, regarding how to wind down.
Aeropro sought an injunction from the court to stay Transport Canada's decision, but was unsuccessful. Scheduled Aeropro flights this week will be taken over by another carrier, Dion said.
The Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the June 23 crash of an Aeropro flight that killed seven people near the Quebec City airport.
Aeropro opened in 1988 to serve Anticosti, Ile de la Madeleine and Wabush. The company also runs aircraft maintenance and medical evacuation services.
