As the investigation into the ongoing Pivot Airlines case continues, several Canadian unions have declared that prosecutors in the Dominican Republic are seeking to hold the five crew members in jail for up to 12 months.

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and Unifor issued a joint statement Monday, calling on the Canadian government “to secure the safe return of five Canadians who have been arbitrarily imprisoned in the Dominican Republic after reporting a crime they were not involved in.”

Punta Cana International Airport pool
The crew and passengers who were detained at Punta Cana International Airport have been released on bail, although this is being appealed by the prosecutors. Photo: Punta Cana International Airport

The story so far

The Pivot Airlines flight was due to depart Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) for Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on April 5th. The flight was being operated by the carrier’s Bombardier CRJ-100ER aircraft, which had arrived in the Dominican Republic the previous day.

Prior to departure, the operating crew allegedly discovered 200 kg (480 lbs) of cocaine in a maintenance compartment and immediately reported it to both the local authorities and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In Canada, the drugs would have an estimated street value of $25 million.

Five Canadian crew members and six passengers from the flight (four Canadians, one Dominican, and one Indian national) were detained and subsequently released on bail. One of the conditions of their bail is that they are not permitted to leave the country. Prosecutors have since launched an appeal against the bail.

Pivot Airlines flight
The Pivot Airlines CRJ-100ER had arrived in Punta Cana from Toronto the day before the incident. Data: Flightradar24.com

Pivot Airlines, a Canadian charter airline, was founded in 2020 and operates one Bombardier CRJ-100ER aircraft from its base at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The response from the airline and the unions

Both Pivot Airlines and the unions have expressed their indignation at how the case has been handled so far. Last month, the airlines’ CEO, Eric Edmondson, sent a letter to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, stating,

“Despite following Transport Canada approved policies and international laws, the crew were immediately detained by local authorities. Placing them back in prison alongside alleged narcotics criminals will put them at a severe risk of serious harm or worse.”

The airline has also advised travelers not to visit the Dominican Republic.

Photo: Punta Cana International Airport
Many Canadians visit the Dominican Republic every year, with Punta Cana being the main international gateway for leisure travelers. Photo: Punta Cana International Airport

In a statement issued on Monday, ALPA Canada’s president, Tim Perry, said,

“It is entirely unacceptable that our members have been thrown in jail for doing their jobs, and dutifully reporting a crime. We are urging the Canadian government to take serious action and help bring our crew home.”

According to the unions, the crew members have already received death threats, and have been “subject to unsafe and inhumane treatment”.

CUPE’s national president, Mark Hancock, also sent a separate letter to Joly, saying, “Without being charged with a crime, they are now being forced to stay in the Dominican Republic pending the investigation and court case, which could take up to 12 months.” If the prosecutors' appeal against their bail is successful, those 12 months could be spent in jail.

This unpredictable case has captured media and public attention in Canada, where many will be waiting with bated breath for the next development.

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