Prince George’s airport will be keeping its air traffic control services after months-long studies from the organization that owns and operates the country's civil air navigation system.
Nav Canada announced today (April 15) that seven regional airports, including YXS, will keep their towers after it was determined a ‘balanced approach’ is needed within the aviation industry as it continues to deal with the struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Needless to say, Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) President and CEO Gordon Duke is relieved and really pleased with the organization's decision.
"Active air traffic control helps ensure smooth operations and reflects our role as an essential service for the north," he tells PrinceGeorgeMatters.
"We received tremendous support from the community and local political leaders, and we want to sincerely thank everyone."
This likely means the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA) employees with Prince George's tower, seven as explained by the union to PrinceGeorgeMatters in February, may be able to keep their jobs.
On Wednesday (April 14), the PGAA reported a 78 per cent drop in passenger traffic during its first quarter of 2021 as COVID-19's third wave in B.C. continues, but it remains hopeful for some turn around in the coming months.
Central Mountain Air has started an expanded route, Flair Airlines is expected to return to the northern capital this summer and WestJet also recently announced a new route between Prince George and Abbotsford expected to begin in June.
"We are thrilled to see air service returning and expanding at our airport," Duke said in a separate statement.
"We remain cautiously optimistic as passenger levels and service options increase here at YXS."
Additionally, Nav Canada says it’s going to suspend the aeronautical studies underway in remote and northern locations ‘until further notice.’
However, it says some of the 29 research initiatives are still in progress with hopes of finding safer solutions to streamline operations.
Nav Canada underwent its investigation resulting from its own downturn in air traffic amid the pandemic.
“Stakeholder engagement is at the heart of NAV CANADA’s aeronautical study process,” said Nav Canada President and CEO Ray Bohn.
“We are proactively taking these steps to maintain a consistent level of service as the aviation industry and our many partners shift their focus to recovery.”
The six other airports set to continue air traffic control service are in Fort McMurray, Alta., Regina, Sask., Saint-Jean, Que., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Windsor, Ont., and Whitehorse, Yukon.
Consultation was conducted during Nav Canada’s process with airlines, airports, industry associations, local officials and internal stakeholders.
- with files from Jess Fedigan and Hanna Petersen, PrinceGeorgeMatters
