Burma – Canada Aviation

Canadian authorities have charged a domestic airline and its former general manager with illegally exporting a plane and parts to Burma.

The Canada Border Services Agency says investigators found that Kenn Borek Air exported a de Havilland DHC-6 twin otter plane and 149 aircraft parts to Burma in November 2007 without valid permits.

Canadian law bars companies from selling products to military-run Burma without government approval.

Authorities charged the Calgary-based airline and its former general manager, Stephen Penikett, Thursday with violating Canada’s Customs Act and its Export and Import Permits Act.

The customs offense carries a maximum fine of about $500,000, while the export offense could lead to a maximum prison term of 10 years. A Calgary court is due to hear the case on December 14.