Latest news with #NavCanada
Boston Globe
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Canada fixed its air traffic control decades ago. Why can't America?
Some of these tragedies and alarming incidents are Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up There is no mystery about what ails air traffic control in this country: It is run by the government, which is ill-suited to the task. Worse yet, the agency that's in charge of providing air traffic control, the Federal Aviation Administration, is also the agency that regulates it — an inherent conflict of interest. As journalist John Tierney put it in Advertisement That's only part of the problem. Because the FAA is an arm of the government, its operations, including air traffic control, are inevitably politicized. Since the agency has to be reauthorized annually, its funding is tied not to market forces but to the priorities of politicians, lobbyists, and interest groups. That chronic Happily, there is a straightforward solution: Get the federal government out of the air traffic control business. 'Countless studies have shown that other countries' ATC systems are better-managed, better-funded, and better-supplied with advanced technology,' Robert Poole, the Reason Foundation's director of transportation policy, Advertisement Not much has changed since Our neighbor to the north long ago made the leap to nongovernmental air traffic control. In 1996, Canada created Nav Canada, a not-for-profit corporation that is fully funded by users of the system — that is, airlines and other aircraft operators — and thus doesn't cost taxpayers a cent. The results have been almost uniformly positive. Nav Canada funds its own modernization and operates on a solid financial footing. The company has Canada boasts state-of-the-art satellite navigation systems. Almost 10 years ago, The Wall Street Journal's aviation columnist, Scott McCartney, In Canadian ATC towers, there are no strips of paper to shuffle. Instead, controllers update information about each flight on touch screens and pass the information to one another electronically. 'Requests for altitude changes are automatically checked for conflicts before they even pop up on controllers' screens,' McCartney wrote. 'Computers look 20 minutes ahead for any planes potentially getting too close to each other. Flights are monitored by a system more accurate than radar, allowing them to be safely spaced closer together to add capacity and reduce delays.' Advertisement The FAA, meanwhile, has been working on upgrading its technology for more than 20 years, but its efforts, as the trade group Airlines for America America's antiquated air traffic control system is both embarrassing and unnecessary. The wheel doesn't need to be reinvented. In 2017, legislation to privatize ATC operations along the lines of the Canadian model This would be a fine time to revive that legislation. Is it naive to imagine that fixing air traffic control is one way to 'make America great again' that doesn't have to involve polarizing rhetoric or angry culture wars? The formula is clear: Carve air traffic control out of the FAA, move it to an independent, user-funded corporation, and let market needs — not politics — dictate priorities. Under such a 'separation of ATC and state,' safety oversight would remain with the FAA, but the era of paper strips and floppy disks would finally end. Advertisement Jeff Jacoby can be reached at
Edmonton Journal
11-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: What Canada needs right now? Free movement – on land, and in the skies
If we want to strengthen our financial systems, increase interprovincial trade, encourage tourism, and open new regions to economic development, the answer lies in the skies. Article content Recently, the Canadian Competition Bureau released its report on the state of competition within the airline industry. Eleven months in the making, the report makes 10 recommendations to governments and decision-makers, including enhancing access to airport infrastructure, increasing transparency in airline performance data, and increasing foreign ownership. Article content Article content Article content The report also notes that new airline carriers — including more affordable carriers — face more difficulties in Canada compared to other countries. For Canadians, the lack of competition in the airline industry has resulted in an increase in overcrowded flights, delays, last-minute cancellations and baggage issues. When just a few companies control most of the seats in the sky, there's little incentive to lower costs or improve service. Article content But the lack of competition not only limits mobility and passenger experience — it also limits access to economic opportunities, especially in remote and rural communities. Article content In this era of economic uncertainty, Canadian decision-makers are rightly looking to strengthen capacity and innovation within our borders. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently introduced the One Canadian Economy bill, aimed at encouraging goods and services to move freely across provincial borders. Article content Article content Creating an environment that fosters more reliable, effective, and affordable air travel is an essential piece of that equation. While the Competition Bureau report has recommended facilitating foreign ownership to increase competition, what's truly needed is for government to foster a robust, made-in-Canada solution that is not dependent on uncertain entities based beyond our own borders. Article content Opening interprovincial trade requires more movement of goods and people within Canadian borders — and without a competitive airline industry, we simply will not be able to achieve the ambitious goals the government has laid out. Article content Canada is also in dire need of stronger regulatory oversight of monopolies like Nav Canada, and Canadian airports. In Europe and other advanced markets, these agencies face efficiency targets and must consult transparently on fee hikes. In Canada, costs rise unchecked, passengers absorb the increases, and accountability is nonexistent. That needs to change.
CBC
10-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Low ceiling, mountainous terrain may have played role in Squamish, B.C., crash, says TSB
A report from the Transportation Safety Board says poor weather may have played a role in the fatal crash of an amateur-built small plane near Squamish, B.C., last year. The report released Thursday also has a warning to other pilots to avoid search and rescue operations if they haven't been called in to help. The board says the small plane carrying a pilot and passenger spiralled into mountainous terrain shortly after leaving the Squamish airport on May 24 last year, bursting into flames and killing all onboard. Its report says the pilot was flying on visual flight rules but declined a pre-flight weather briefing from Nav Canada even though the cloud ceiling was as low as about 100 metres with light rain falling. The board's safety message says pilots are reminded that flying with visual flight rules in marginal weather can be challenging, especially in mountainous terrain. The report also says some people who received the pilot's phone crash notification flew to the location, including a helicopter that got in the way of a search chopper, prompting a warning from the board to pilots to stay out of search areas.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Six Canadian airports disrupted by bomb threats, later deemed false
Canadian airports returned to normal operations Thursday(July 3) after a wave of bomb threats forced evacuations and delayed dozens of flights. Nav Canada, the country's air navigation service provider, said the threats affected operations at facilities in Ottawa , Montreal, Edmonton , Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver . In a post on social media , Nav Canada said service was gradually resuming following 'the evacuation of a number of our sites' and threat assessments by authorities. RCMP in Richmond, British Columbia, said they received a report of a threat at the Nav Canada control tower at Vancouver International Airport around 2 am local time. 'After the initial investigation, investigators determined this to be a false report and that there is no credible threat to public safety,' said Cpl. Melissa Lui, Richmond RCMP media officer. The tower was evacuated, and no threats were found after a search. A spokesperson for the US Federal Aviation Administration, Kevin Morris, said in a statement that there were 'brief ground stops' at airports in Montreal and Ottawa. These were lifted at around 7:40 am. Eastern time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tinnitus: what this grandson discovered will surprise you Hearing Magazine Undo Transport Canada spokesperson Hicham Ayoun said the department was working with airport authorities, Nav Canada, and local law enforcement 'to fully assess the situation.' Ayoun added that 'as a result of this morning's events, some flights may still be delayed over the next hours.' The Ottawa airport said in an update shortly after 10 am that it was close to resuming normal operations. Earlier in the day, it had warned of a 'security incident' and potential disruptions. Several flights were delayed, according to the airport's website. Live Events Austin De St. Croix, a traveler at the Ottawa airport, said he was headed to Vancouver when his flight was suddenly canceled. 'I went to check in, and then between checking in and the security gate, they told me my flight was cancelled, no info,' he said. The Vancouver airport confirmed it was 'aware of a security concern' involving Nav Canada operations and other airports. 'Safety and security remain our top priority and a thorough threat assessment was conducted,' it said in a social media post. The Montreal airport also confirmed that it was back in full operation. Richmond RCMP has asked anyone with information related to the threat at Vancouver's Nav Canada tower to contact police and reference file number 2025-21021. Travelers were being advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
The Province
03-07-2025
- The Province
Travellers could see delays after bomb threats at YVR, other Canadian airports: Nav Canada
Nav Canada said the early morning threats affected airports in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Published Jul 03, 2025 • Last updated 26 minutes ago • 3 minute read Nav Canada said the early morning threats affected airports in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Photo by RICH LAM / PNG Airports are returning to normal operations after Canada's air traffic control service said YVR and some other airports received bomb threats early Thursday morning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Richmond RCMP called the threat at YVR 'false.' A spokesperson for YVR said the airport was aware of a security concern but denied it was causing flight disruption at the airport in Richmond on Thursday morning. 'We are aware of a security concern that occurred earlier this morning involving NAV Canada operations at YVR as well as several other Canadian airports,' said Karoline Ravanelli, a spokesperson for YVR in an email early Thursday morning. 'Safety and security remains our top priority and a thorough threat assessment was conducted. At this time, flights at YVR are operating normally, however as always, we recommend passengers check or with their airline to get the latest flight information. Ravanelli assured travellers that the RCMP conducted a full sweep of the YVR terminal and control tower and staff 'continue to work closely with RCMP and other partners to ensure the highest level of safety for everyone at YVR.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Richmond RCMP confirmed police received a report of a threat Thursday at 2 a.m. at the Vancouver international Airport Nav Canada air traffic control tower. The tower was evacuated. Then, with the assistance of police dogs, police conducted a search and no threats were located, Richmond RCMP said. 'The RCMP and YVR take threats of this nature very seriously,' said Corp. Melissa Lui, a spokesperson for the Richmond RCMP. 'After the initial investigation, investigators determined this to be a false report, and that there is no credible threat to public safety.' Nav Canada said the early morning threats affected airports in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Calgary. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Kevin Morris said in a statement there were 'brief ground stops' at airports in Montreal and Ottawa, and they were lifted at around 7:40 a.m. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nav Canada said in a social media post that service is gradually resuming after 'the evacuation of number of our sites' and threat assessment by authorities. 'We thank airlines and passengers for their patience as we work towards normal operations,' it said. It said employees at the airports are safe and there was a temporary ground stop. The Ottawa airport announced to passengers a little after 10 a.m. that it was close to resuming normal operations. The airport said earlier Thursday that it was investigating a 'security incident' and operations could be disrupted. The airport's website showed that several flights were delayed. An Ottawa airport spokesperson said it was investigating alongside city police. It said there was only a 'small impact' on operations. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Austin De St. Croix said he was at the Ottawa airport Thursday and was heading to Vancouver when his flight was suddenly cancelled. 'I went to check in, and then between checking in and the security gate, they told me my flight was cancelled, no info,' he said. Lorraine Sundholn was also at the Ottawa airport Thursday and was set to fly Halifax before her flight was delayed. 'We just sit and listen to the announcements as they come up and where to go when they finally cancelled the flight,' she said. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. The threat comes just days after YVR was hit with an air-traffic staffing crisis during the Canada Day long weekend. More than 200 flights were delayed and 23 cancelled at YVR over the Canada Day long weekend because of an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers at Nav Canada, the private company responsible for managing the country's airspace. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nav Canada said it continues to recruit, train and license new air traffic controllers, adding more than 450 staff since September 2023. About 230 of those employees are air traffic controllers. There are also more than 500 people in training across the country right now. 'However, the path to full qualification is extensive, typically requiring 24 to 36 months of classroom instruction, simulation and on-the-job training,' it said in the statement. 'This rigorous process ensures that all controllers meet the highest standards of competence and readiness.' More to come With files from Tiffany Crawford, Sarah Grochowski and Joseph Ruttle Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Opinion Local News
