T6101 - Commercial air transportation, chartered

Operational Details
Airlines, like railroads or railways are comprised of parts and activities, all inter-related. In order to fly passengers or freight aircraft, a commercial flying licence is required by Transport Canada. There aren’t any scheduled airlines that are Saskatchewan based, However, there are 27 registered chartered airlines in the province, including those who operate in northern remote areas.

Aircrew includes a captain, responsible for flying, a first officer, who is trained to assist the captain, or take over if necessary. In a larger aircraft a second officer would be the third in command. Flight attendants, stewards, or stewardesses serve the customers in-flight. Ground control includes flight safety officers, whose task is to prevent and investigate accidents.

Usually there is a chief pilot for each aircraft type flown. Flight Managers are responsible for the day-to-day administrative matters. Flight Standards, a quality control division, develops and maintains flying operating standards and procedures, and liaises with international regulatory groups regarding pilot licencing. Aeronautical Services develop flight routes, airport approaches and departure procedures. Flight Scheduling staff ensure the right pilots are in the right planes at the right time. Long-range flight crew planning is provided by Crew Planners. It also includes pilot training when transferred to a new aircraft type.

Other ground support includes aircraft fueling personnel, baggage handlers, ticket sales representatives, and ground maintenance crews that repair and maintain the aircraft, de-icing the aircraft as necessary. When airframe, component, and engine maintenance are undertaken by an airline, it is considered part of their overall operations. Unloading and loading aircraft baggage is a specialized service that is primarily a labour related. It involves unloading and loading passenger baggage onto aircraft at airports. It also includes driving small tractors and wagons with the baggage to and from the landing area and terminal.

Chartered airlines fly to destinations not on a regular service run and at times to suit the passengers. Service clubs, sporting teams, special interest groups, corporations and government charter aircraft for a specific flight to a specific destination. Often the services offered are elevated from the normal scheduled flights and resemble first class flying on a scheduled airline. The added service emphasis results in paying a higher premium for the flight on a chartered run. Charters are also run out of the north and smaller aircraft are used to transport people in and out of isolated areas. Larger corporations who do not own their own aircraft, may also engage the services of a chartered airline to transport their workers who are shift workers.

Mergers in North America in the 1990s has seen a number of well known carriers disappear. Deregulation has resulted in more flights to smaller areas at a much cheaper price, resulting in better customer service. However, some airlines will continue to struggle into the next century.

Only those workers, whose base of operations is in Saskatchewan, are covered by Saskatchewan WCB. Other workers who fly in and out of the province with no base of operations here are reported in the airline’s own jurisdiction.

SIC Codes
000000855 - Commercial air transportation
000000856 - Air charter
000000828 - Un/load aircraft baggage