Nav Canada announced Thursday the Regina Airport Authority will be keeping its air traffic control tower after all.
Regina is one of six communities in the country that will retain their towers. The others are Fort McMurray, Alta., Prince George, B.C., Saint-Jean, Que., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Whitehorse, Yukon, and Windsor, Ont.
Regina Airport CEO James Bogusz told Global News that airport staff are “ecstatic” about the news.
“This was an effort that started back in November that by no means was just the airport’s effort. This was a community effort,” Bogusz said.
Bogusz explained that all levels of government were advocating for the airport to keep its control tower.
“I strongly believe that it was because of all of that effort Nav Canada really had an opportunity to see what this tower meant and means to our community, and they’ve now changed their mind and then rescinded their original direction.”
Through 29 aeronautical studies, which are still going on, and consultation with a number of airlines, airports, industry associations, local officials and internal stakeholders, Nav Canada said it was the right decision to make.
“Stakeholder engagement is at the heart of Nav Canada aeronautical study process. The valuable input we have received indicates that a balanced approach is warranted as the industry navigates the ongoing pandemic,” said Ray Bohn, Nav Canada president and CEO.
“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.”
In November, Nav Canada first announced it would be conducting studies looking at removing its control tower services from the Regina airport as a way to cut costs.
About two weeks later, Nav Canada announced several layoff notices to more than 100 air controllers across the country, including 10 in Regina.
Bogusz said the airport has maintained that they understand there is a huge financial hardship right now in the industry. He said they would be supportive if “modest” adjustments were made temporarily to the control tower operation.
“Maybe shaving a couple hours off at the end of the day, if the traffic or the aviation traffic was not sufficient. What we were not supportive of was a total closure because the ability to reopen the tower at a future date would be incredibly expensive and difficult compared to making some very subtle adjustments today,” he said.
Bogusz added that the airport has not been notified of any adjustments and they plan to reach out to Nav Canada in the coming days to see about potential outcomes.
“As Canada’s minister of transport, I am pleased to see that NAV Canada has committed to no closures at air traffic control towers or flight service stations, as well as at northern and remote locations, across the country,” said Omar Alghabra, Canada’s minister of transport.
“I also welcome Nav Canada’s commitment to maintaining a continuous dialogue with their employees, stakeholders and communities as Canada’s air transport sector responds to the ongoing pandemic.
“Maintaining appropriate service in our local communities will allow Nav Canada to continue to provide air navigation services required to support industry today and throughout the recovery.”
Mayor Sandra Masters also welcomed the news.
“Regina’s airport is vital to our city’s economic growth and prosperity. Continued operation of our traffic control tower ensures our city remains competitive as we work to attract new corporations and businesses that rely on national and international travel,” Masters said in a statement.
Masters thanked all those involved in advocating for the Regina airport to keep its air traffic control tower. She called it a “truly… a Saskatchewan effort.”
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