Buffalo Airways pitches on-time, no-bumping cargo flights to Kitikmeot

N.W.T.-based Buffalo Airways has begun offering on-time cargo shipment for customers in western Nunavut fed up with having their freight bumped on other carriers.

Peter Gillingham, manager of Charters Logistics, says the new division at Buffalo Airways meets a need for "more timely service for the odd-sized items."

"We identified that from a freight perspective, there's a bit of a gap," he said.

"Many times the current carriers have to worry about passengers, food mail, those sorts of things, so the general items that can get bumped typically do get bumped. It opened up an opportunity for us to take care of that."

So far, Buffalo is offering the service to Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay. The airline made its first cargo flight to Cambridge Bay on Wednesday with a mix of freight on board.

"It's got everything from building material for the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, to pop for the convenience store. There's a couple of snowmobiles for the upcoming races, there's diapers, there's whatever you could imagine you'd need."

Barring bad weather, the airline promises on-time delivery.

"After today, we'll publish a new date for the next trip, based on what we have coming and what we expect, and then we'll hold firm to that date," he said.

Gillingham says the airline hopes to expand the service to include Kugaaruk, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.