Kenn Borek Air

Kenn Borek Air. It is a Canadian charter airline specializing in remote and polar operations, renowned for its work in the Arctic and Antarctica. Founded in 1970, the company provides critical services including medevac, cargo transport, and support for scientific research expeditions. Its fleet of rugged turboprop aircraft is engineered to operate in the world's most extreme and isolated environments.

History

The airline was established in 1970 by Kenneth C. Borek, building upon his experience as a bush pilot in Canada's north. Initially operating small aircraft like the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, it grew by securing contracts for resource exploration and geophysical survey support. A significant expansion occurred in the late 1970s with the acquisition of de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, which became a cornerstone for its operations. The company's expertise led to its first contract with the United States Antarctic Program in the 1980s, cementing its role as a premier polar aviation specialist. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it continued to expand its fleet and operational reach, undertaking increasingly complex missions in support of global scientific research and logistics.

Operations

Primary operations are conducted from its base at Calgary International Airport, supporting projects across Northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica. The airline executes vital medevac missions for remote communities, often in coordination with territorial health authorities like Nunavut's government. It is a key contractor for polar programs, including the United States Antarctic Program, the British Antarctic Survey, and Antarctica New Zealand, providing passenger and cargo logistics to research stations such as McMurdo Station. Additional services include support for mining and oil exploration camps, aerial survey work, and specialized charter flights into unprepared airstrips and ice runways, demonstrating exceptional operational flexibility.

Fleet

The operational fleet consists of approximately 30 aircraft, predominantly turboprop models known for their short takeoff and landing capabilities. The workhorse is the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, extensively used for its reliability in austere environments. For larger cargo and passenger needs, the fleet includes the de Havilland Canada DHC-7 and the Dash 8. The company also operates the British Aerospace BAe 146 for missions requiring jet performance into rough, short fields. All aircraft are modified with features like tundra tires, ski-wheel gear for ice and snow, and enhanced navigation systems for operations in high-latitude regions where magnetic compass reliability is reduced.

Notable Incidents and Rescues

The airline is famed for its role in the 2016 Antarctic rescue of two sick workers from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. In a daring mid-winter flight, two of its de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft braved extreme darkness and temperatures below -60°C to evacuate the patients, a mission coordinated with the National Science Foundation and Lockheed Martin. In 2001, one of its de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft was involved in an accident on Mount William in Antarctica, though the crew survived. The company's pilots have also conducted numerous other high-risk medevac flights across the Arctic, often in severe whiteout conditions, earning recognition from organizations like the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Corporate Affairs

The company remains a privately held entity, with its headquarters and main operational base in Calgary, Alberta. It is a significant employer of pilots and engineers specializing in polar aviation and bush flying. The airline maintains a close working relationship with aircraft manufacturers like De Havilland Canada and regulatory bodies including Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration. Its business model is built on long-term contracts with government and industrial clients, requiring adherence to stringent safety protocols as dictated by the International Civil Aviation Organization and its insurance underwriters at Lloyd's of London.

Category:Airlines of Canada Category:Companies based in Calgary Category:Polar aviation