Yellowknife (Jun 28/06) - The last NWT charter airline using space at the Yellowknife International Airport has opted to set up its own terminal for passengers.

Buffalo Airways made the move at the start of this month to what was the old Echo Bay mine terminal, said company president Joe McBryan.

Hay River resident Raymond Whelan stands outside Buffalo Airways' new passenger terminal. The company moved out of the Yellowknife Airport to its own private terminal on June 1. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

With airport service fees skyrocketing this year and increased security measures that weren't exactly passenger-friendly, he said the company had little choice but to relocate.

"The airport's mind-set is on jets to Edmonton," he said.

The jump in airport user fees for Buffalo doubled to $60,000 in one year and would have resulted in increased prices for travellers if the company didn't make a move, added McBryan. "We would have had to pass on increased prices of $25 to $30 per flight to our customers," said McBryan.

The new airport security regimen implemented by Transport Canada caused problems for miners and tradespeople who often carry their tools with them, he said.

"Tools weren't always clearing security," said McBryan, who added that some workers had tools temporarily misplaced or lost completely as a result of the security checks.

While that may be true, Buffalo passenger Raymond Whelan frequently flies with his tools and said he's never faced any problems with security.

McBryan said passengers in wheelchairs or walkers faced some of the biggest problems at the airport.

"The security department shows no respect or dignity to the ill," said McBryan.

The new terminal is a welcome change for Hay River resident Rhonda Kauhausen who was flying with Buffalo last week.

A frequent traveller, last month she was helping to transport a wheelchair-bound friend to Yellowknife from Hay River and had a worrisome time at the airport.

"It was awkward," she said. "We had a very difficult time getting through the crowd."

Department of Transportation spokesperson Bob Kelly said passengers flying with Buffalo Airways did not necessarily go through security screening at all times.

Kelly added the airline's departure means there is now room for Air Canada Jazz.

It will occupy the counter space previously used by Buffalo.