'It was getting bad'
Frustrated by freight backlogs, ID checks on elders, Whati chief hasn't ruled out changing airlines
Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Monday, October 17, 2016
WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
The chief of Whati is hoping a recent meeting with Air Tindi executives will help resolve a number of service issues that have been frustrating communities that use the airline.
The prospect of switching providers isn't off the table just yet.
"We went over all the issues we're trying to correct," Whati Chief Alfonz Nitsiza said. "I think it was a pretty good meeting."
He and two officials from the airline met last Tuesday to discuss the community's concerns.
Nitsiza said he decided to go public more than a week ago after hearing people in Whati and other communities that use Air Tindi were upset about backlogs in freight delivery, people being bumped off flights, ID checks on elders and confusion caused by the language barrier.
"This thing got to the point where it was getting bad and I was getting a lot of calls from people that use Air Tindi," Nitsiza said.
The airline, which is owned by Discovery Air, operates passenger and cargo flights to Whati, Fort Simpson, Lutsel K'e, Gameti, Wekweeti and Yellowknife.
Air Tindi president Alasdair Martin said he was not at the meeting but was aware of what was addressed.
He said he did not want to discuss the specifics.
"But obviously it's good to have a meeting with Alfonz in more detail," Martin said.
He believes the airline is tackling many of the issues the Whati community has raised.
Nitsiza is concerned about ID checks that he alleged the airline conducts out in the open for all to see.
"They have to be done professionally, I mean not in front of everybody looking," he said.
The two parties also identified a lack of communication with the truck companies and airlines bringing cargo into the community, Nitsiza said.
"We identified that we do have a lot of freight coming to provide service to our stores," he said, explaining that has caused some of the backlog.
"We're trying to get that communication line open more so that there can be notice when the truck will arrive and how many pounds of freight they have for the stores."
Nitsiza said there were no issues before Air Tindi changed ownership in 2006.
"If the communication issue is resolved I think we'll be able to get back on track and provide better service," he said.
"But who knows. We'll see what happens."
He said both parties understand the concerns and that many of them could be fixed with "proper management."
Nitsiza was pleased to have been given a point of contact at the airline to address concerns as they happen from now on and said officials seemed open to improvements.
Martin said the airline is required to check IDs and conduct alcohol and drug searches as the Tlicho government has requested them to help prevent contraband items from entering the communities.
"We're very clear we do that on a random basis," he said. "We do that as respectfully as we can."
Martin was not sure of any complaints from other communities outside of Whati, but when asked about whether he was concerned Whati could move to another airline he said Air Tindi is focused on providing the best service possible to its customers.
"We will continue to provide that service," he said.
Nitsiza said the two parties are working together to correct the problems and that he hopes "things go back to normal."
"But I did get a call from Summit Air," he said.
"They are interested why the service wasn't that great," he said, adding he believes they want to know if they could provide services to the community.
The chief said he will still consider finding another airline for his community if changes don't come to fruition.
"If there's no improvement in services certainly we'll have other options," he said.
