Nav Canada says tower will stay open

Nav Canada won't shut down service, but still plans to streamline operations

The CEO of the Regina Airport Authority (RAA) was “thrilled” by Nav Canada's announcement Thursday confirming the city will not lose its air traffic control service, after a study stoked fears the tower might go.

“This is an excellent outcome from what has been massive community effort to save Regina's control tower,” James Bogusz said. He ascribed the success to a team effort, not only from municipal officials but business leaders, MP Michael Kram and the provincial government.

“This was a testament to how we came together to solve a problem that was going to impact really all of southern Saskatchewan,” he added.

In a news release, Nav Canada said it has chosen to limit changes following talks with airlines, airports, industry and officials. The agency had been examining whether Regina should be moved to airport advisory services in place of the tower.

“There will be no site closures at air traffic control towers or flight service stations across the country,” Nav Canada committed.

Its CEO, Ray Bohn, said “a balanced approach is warranted as the industry navigates the ongoing pandemic.” He said the agency, which provides air navigation services and runs control towers across the country, is taking steps to maintain a consistent level of service during the expected recovery.

Bogusz had previously warned that a move to airport advisory services would have limited the capacity of the airport.

The mayor and council lobbied for the city to keep air traffic control service, calling it “absolutely imperative.”

Premier Scott Moe also celebrated Nav Canada's decision to preserve the service in a post to Twitter. He said his highways minister has “worked tirelessly” to advocate for the airport.

“This is a crucial service for our capital region, and we're pleased that this decision has been made,” Moe wrote.

In his own release, Kram called it a “victory for everyone in Regina.” Mayor Sandra Masters was “very pleased,” saying the tower will help keep the city competitive with businesses that rely on national and international travel.

Nav Canada originally informed the RAA of the review in November. Regina was one of seven medium-sized Canadian cities that were facing studies of their air traffic control services, to determine whether they aligned with demand.

This is a crucial service for our capital region, and we're pleased that this decision has been made. PREMIER SCOTT MOE

Nav Canada was conducting 29 studies in total, including for smaller centres like Prince Albert that do not have full air traffic control services, to see if they should be moved to an even lower level.

Nav Canada also announced on Thursday that it will suspend studies related to remote or northern locations. That does not include Prince Albert, which is still subject to a review of its hours of service.

The agency will still be looking at ways of “streamlining operations” in Regina, including by changing to hours of service.

Bogusz said he understands the need to study small, temporary adjustments that don't impact “the operational viability of the airport.”

“We would be more understanding of that than a total closure of the control tower,” said Bogusz.

In announcing the review, Nav Canada had pointed to a “reduced traffic and passenger demand environment” in Regina. The airport's average aircraft movements have been consistently below the 60,000 per year typically set as a threshold for traffic control towers. But it saw an uptick in 2019, when traffic reached 56,023.

The pandemic caused those numbers to collapse, but Bogusz is hoping for a quick recovery as vaccines eventually bring COVID-19 under control.