Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 26/99) - Buffalo Airways has hit a high point. Friday, April 16, marked the flight of the 50,000th passenger on Buffalo Airway's scheduled flight between Hay River and Yellowknife.

The 50,000th passenger -- Hay River's Cindy Caudron -- received flowers and a year's worth of passes to fly on the scheduled flight between Hay River and Yellowknife before stepping on the DC-3.

Joe McBryan, owner and pilot for Buffalo Airways, awarded Caudron the unexpected gifts.

All other passengers on the flight received one complimentary return ticket to fly with Buffalo on the scheduled flight between Hay River and Yellowknife.

The passengers will also receive a commemorative photo of the passengers, pilot, plane, and the pilot's dog, Sophie, on the flight that carried the 50,000th passenger.

According to McBryan, Sophie always goes with him on the scheduled flights.

The scheduled flight has been around for the past 10 years and takes off every day except Sunday.

Buffalo Airways employs about 120 people, depending on the season, and owns 28 aircraft.

As well as flying the DC-3 between Hay River and Yellowknife, Buffalo also uses C-46s and DC-4s to transport freight around the North.

Buffalo Airways maintains hangars and service facilities in Yellowknife, Hay River and Red Deer, Alta.

Buffalo Airways Ltd. is a charter and freighter company, but does run the one scheduled flight.