Alpine Aviation is feeling the hurt from the COVID-19 pandemic, says its owner, Gerd Mannsperger.

Mannsperger told the Star this morning a mixed message coming out of the Yukon government as of late was not helping the situation.

The government was encouraging the local aviation industry to focus more on marketing to locals with travel from outside the territory all but shut down, he said.

Mannsperger noted a statement by Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie Dendys last Monday, on the other hand, says Yukoners should refrain from travel even inside the territory.

It’s a mixed message that comes at a time when the territory’s aviation industry is already dealing with bleak times and will face bleak times for months to come, he said.

Alpine’s chief pilot said there’s a chance some companies won’t be around at this time next year.

It’s the business at this time of year that keeps companies going through the lean winter months, Mannsperger said in an interview from his float plane base on Schwatka Lake.

He said without that, it will be difficult for some to keep essential staff and stay afloat through next winter.

Keeping pilots and mechanics is vital, Mannsperger said.

“We need some level of work, he said. “Every little bit is important so we can keep our people there.

“I am nothing without the people that work for me. I am just one guy. I can’t fly five airplanes.”

Mannsperger said a letter circulated to the tourism industry last week regarding travel by Yukoners inside the territory suggested everybody should refrain from unnecessary travel within the territory.

While flying locals into the backcountry with their canoes and such is not a huge part of their business, it does account for part of their business, he said.

Mannsperger said the concerning part of the letter from Dendys circulated to the industry a week ago today reads:

“This Tourism Week, I ask Yukoners to reflect on the fact that Tourism is Community.

“Tourism has reliably been Yukon’s largest private sector employer and second-largest economic driver. It fosters cultural appreciation, supports diversity and contributes to rural economic sustainability. It is powered by Yukoners proud of their home and the stories and experiences that live here.

“However, there is no way around it: for the time being, Yukon is not receiving visitors,” says the letter.

“We are instead telling travellers both here in the Yukon and from outside the territory to #WaitForSomeday, and to #ExploreYukonLater.”

At its regular update on the COVID-19 crisis Friday afternoon, the government did say travel inside the Yukon is OK but asked Yukoners be mindful of the wishes of Yukon communities to minimize contact.

It recommended the practice of social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 be maintained.

Mannsperger said he had hoped Dendys and Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai would have taken part in Friday’s virtual townhall to reassure Yukoners that travel inside the territory is OK.

But they did not participate, he pointed out.

Mannsperger said in response to the message last Monday that Yukoners should refrain from travelling inside the Yukon, one tourism operator wrote Dendys:

“This, your statement, is of big concern for tourism businesses and air charter companies,” said the response from the tour operator.

“If I get it right you basically say that not only travellers from afar should not come to the Yukon, you are also saying that Yukon residents should stay put and not travel to other communities within the Yukon.

“This is in clear contrast to recent statements that tourism operators should offer products to local customers.”

Mannsperger said the local operator is a pilot and has a lodge with a couple of cabins.

Alpine Aviation does about 20 flights a season for the company, he said.

Mannsperger said while 20 flights for one tourism outfit a year may not seem like a lot, when you add up all the outfits they provide service to, it becomes significant.

He suggested clarity – certainty – from the government that travel inside the territory is fine and would be welcomed.

If you want to market to the local community, having that reassurance is necessary, Mannsperger said.

Following a request for a comment late this morning, the Star was told Dendys was not available.