December 2, 2022. The ATAC Board of Directors and Staff celebrate that the Pivot Airlines crew is safely back in Canada after being shamelessly detained for months by the Dominican Republic authorities after reporting the presence of drugs hidden in the plane.
This crew was treated as criminals for doing its duty in reporting a crime. ATAC fails to understand why the Canadian Government was unable to have this crew released pending the investigation nor why it tolerated that the crew was detained for so long.
We wish all concerned a restful and happy reunification with their loved ones.
May no other Canadian air operator ever have to endure such an ordeal.
Statement by Pivot Airlines CEO Eric Edmondson
“Earlier this evening, the heroic Pivot Airlines crew arrived safely in Toronto and were reunited with their loved ones.
The crew has demonstrated incredible courage and resilience throughout the harrowing ordeal which saw them wrongly detained in the Dominican Republic for nearly eight months. Their steadfast commitment to public safety and the rule of law is a testament to the professionalism of all Canadian air crew.
Pivot Airlines is tremendously grateful to all those who advocated on our crew’s behalf, including CUPE, ALPA, Unifor, Senator David Wells, as well as our government partners.
While we are relieved for the crew’s long overdue return, we know that this incident has taken a heavy toll on their lives, and the lives of their families. For that reason, we are asking media and the public to respect their privacy at this time.”
Pivot Team and Crew
