Air traffic control could eventually return if scrapped, Garneau says

The potential decision to withdraw air traffic control from Windsor's airport — a move considered after COVID-19 grounded much of the airline industry — could be reversed when flight numbers increase again, Canada's Transport minister said Thursday.

But that decision would still be in the hands of Nav Canada, the privatized owner and operator of the country's civil air navigation system, Marc Garneau told the Star in an interview.

“Nav Can can certainly decide to reassess,” said Garneau. “If they changed something during the pandemic and traffic resumes, it's their decision at a particular place where they may have reduced service whether they bring it back. They are going to do that based on the need and safety considerations.”

“So any decisions that are made during this pandemic can be changed based on circumstances later on. But that's their decision.”

Local politicians, pilots and airport officials were shocked to learn recently that Nav Canada is considering taking air traffic control away from Windsor International Airport.

The agency recently told the Star that Windsor's airport was put on the review list because of “longterm air traffic levels, including prior to the pandemic.”

Garneau said Thursday the review was sparked by lower traffic levels during the pandemic.

“What has happened with COVID is the number of aircraft flying in Canadian airspace has gone down considerably,” he said. “As a responsible organization they have made the decision to do a service level review at a number of airports.”

Other airports being considered for service reductions include Prince George, B.C.; Whitehorse, Yukon; Fort Mcmurray, Alta.; Regina, Sask.; and Sault Ste. Marie.

Nav Canada is expected to start consultations in January, with a study and possible recommendations ready by April or May. Garneau said his department has no role in Nav Canada's studies or deciding which airports go up for review.

“As a responsible organization they have made the decision to do a service level review at a number of airports,” he said.

But Mayor Drew Dilkens said he learned earlier this week that Transport Canada told Nav Canada to cut costs.

Dilkens, other local leaders and Nav Canada had a briefing on Monday organized by MP Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor-tecumseh), who also opposes closing the tower.

Dilkens said Nav Canada, a non-profit organization, explained that they went to the federal government asking for money because revenues declined sharply when air traffic was stalled during the pandemic.

“So that was really informative for us because the study is a direct result of the government's decision to ask Nav Canada to find a way to save money,” Dilkens said Thursday evening. “The government has the ability to control what happens here.”

Dilkens said it's also little comfort knowing a decision to shut down the tower could be reversed when traffic levels pick up again.

“Trying to reverse this is a whole situation in itself that could take years to do,” he said.

“The problem is to reverse that study you're going to go through another aeronautic study, and I'm not sure what changes. It could actually be worse.”

Dilkens said airlines restarting flights after going months with little or no revenue will likely be looking to save money. Flying into an airport without a manned tower increases insurance costs, he said.

“If we're adding costs to an airline that is about to restart, that is least able to afford additional costs, knowing that traffic is going to be light at the beginning, do they say we're just going to pass on Windsor?”

Transport Canada must review any recommendations Nav Canada puts forward, but Garneau said it will do that solely on safety issues. Economic impacts won't be a concern.

“Transport Canada's role is simply to regulate from a safety point of view,” said Garneau.

Calling the study “foolhardy,” Dilkens said the two factors can't be separated.

“Issues related to economics are a very important part of this discussion,” he said. “If you take away the control tower, that would put our local economic recovery at risk next year. We heard that from the chamber of commerce. We also heard that from the port authority.”

“They would certainly be sending a signal to the City of Windsor and the County of Essex that economic recovery here is not important.”

Garneau said he can't comment on potential economic impacts “because that's not within my responsibility.”

“I've certainly read and heard that a number of officials, municipal and federal, have voiced concerns, including the port authority,” he said. “So voices have certainly been heard and the arguments ... have been presented.”