June 18, 2024
Summer marks the peak of air travel and tourism season in Canada, transforming airports into bustling hubs of activity. With most schools being out for the session and many Canadians eager for vacations, Canada’s skies typically see a significant surge of aircraft in June, July and August. In 2023, for example, there was a 56% increase in daily average flights in July, compared to January, which had the lowest daily average of flights that year.
While airlines and airports ramp up their operations to accommodate the influx of travellers, Canada’s air navigation service provider, NAV CANADA, is hard at work to deliver smooth air travel experiences for everyone who plans to fly in Canada’s skies and over the North Atlantic Ocean.
Learning from past trends and experience, recent years have seen interruptions in air traffic flow due to wildfires, storms, volcanoes, construction, and our system’s capacity to manage demand. To keep travellers informed about potential disruptions due to air traffic management, NAV CANADA launched a new X account in the summer of 2023 to share live operational updates, explaining the root causes and anticipated timelines of significant delays. This account will continue to publish relevant updates over the summer of 2024 and beyond, in conjunction with our industry partners, NAV CANADA remains committed to keeping travellers informed about events that can impact their flights.
This article explores the comprehensive steps NAV CANADA is taking to manage Canada’s airspace to ensure air traffic flows smoothly despite the many challenges that can arise.
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Traffic management initiatives (TMIs) are tools used by air traffic controllers to manage the flow of air traffic. To ensure safety and efficiency, if the number of aircraft exceeds the capacity of any part of the system, controllers space out the traffic. This usually means reducing the number of aircraft arriving at or departing from a particular airport to avoid overwhelming the system.
During peak periods, air traffic controllers at major airports in Canada maximize arrival and departure rates to meet the needs of airlines, flights schools, general aviation, emergency response, and other aircraft. They consider factors such as weather, runway conditions, and airport construction. These aspects are assessed continuously to determine the optimal and safe movement rate for the day. NAV CANADA prioritizes safety while working to maintain high-capacity levels.
Delays are sometimes necessary to balance demand and ensure that airport infrastructure, such as runways and taxiways, does not exceed its capacity. For instance, on a rainy day, it might take longer for an aircraft to slow down and exit the runway, requiring air traffic controllers to space out the next aircraft for safety.
Marie-Pier Berman, Vice President and Chief of Operations at NAV CANADA, explains, “a minor delay in one flight can ripple through the system, impacting the interactions between multiple aircraft. When you consider this effect across thousands of flights, these delays accumulate which can lead to disruptions that impact schedules and the efficiency of the entire air traffic management system.” Canada’s vast distances and challenging weather conditions add to these complexities, making air traffic management even more critical.
Weather is a significant factor that can disrupt air travel. Thunderstorms, snow, freezing rain, and fog can all affect flight schedules and airport capacity. Some—like high winds or extreme temperatures—may not be visible to the naked eye.
Poor weather in one region can have a domino effect, causing delays across North America and around the world. Even if the weather at an airport is clear, storms along flight paths can necessitate delays to ensure planes navigate safely.
NAV CANADA uses advanced systems and technology to track aircraft and make decisions to ensure efficient air traffic flow. They work closely with meteorologists to plan for weather events and sometimes instruct pilots to take longer routes to avoid storms. This can result in more time in the air and subsequent delays.
Airports across Canada are constantly evolving to better serve passengers and meet the growing demand for air travel. This includes repairing and replacing runways, expanding terminals, and modernizing facilities. These projects can cost millions of dollars and involve significant construction efforts.
When runways or taxiways are unavailable due to construction, snow, ice, and other factors, the flow of air traffic can be constrained. Airports, airlines, and NAV CANADA work together to ensure that air traffic does not exceed capacity limits during these times.
At NAV CANADA, employees at the company’s national operations centre host multiple calls throughout the day with all major airlines that fly in Canada’s airspace to determine arrival and departure rates and assess emerging events to mitigate their impact on Canada’s air navigation system.
Weather and construction are not the only reasons for delays—ensuring that our system has the capacity and people to meet demand is just as important. At NAV CANADA, we’re committed to doing our part to meet the needs of those who rely on Canada’s aviation industry.
To keep up with the evolving aviation landscape, NAV CANADA is hiring hundreds of new air navigation service professionals across the country. These professionals, who receive paid training, are essential for managing Canada’s airspace, especially as new types of aircraft, like delivery drones and flying taxis, enter the skies.
When there are staffing shortages at NAV CANADA, the organization works hard to minimize the impact on air travel. The company brings in extra staff, asks employees to work longer hours, or start shifts early to handle the increased workload. The dedication of the employees to their jobs and to safety is crucial for the company’s success and its ability to meet the changing demands of Canada’s aviation industry.
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Ensuring on-time performance requires a significant cross-sector effort. Every partner in the aviation system must do their best to minimize delays. Data sharing is critical to this effort. “It’s like an orchestra where every musician must play in perfect harmony,” says Berman. “Air traffic controllers work tirelessly to ensure every plane is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, with real-time information, to maintain smooth and safe skies.”
NAV CANADA is introducing new landing procedures, working with aircraft manufacturers to test new technologies, investing in new tools and technology, and sharing data to foster a more efficient and sustainable future. The goal is for everyone to have access to the same flight planning and capacity data, allowing for better predictability in the system, even when conditions change.
As the summer of 2024 unfolds, NAV CANADA’s efforts to manage Canada’s airspace and ensure a smooth travel experience are more critical than ever. By focusing on safety, leveraging advanced technology, and working closely with all partners in the aviation system, the company aims to keep aircraft moving efficiently and minimize disruptions. Whether it’s dealing with weather, managing construction projects, or preparing for the future with new air navigation services professionals, NAV CANADA is committed to serving a world in motion.
"In the future, by collaborating, everyone will share the same flight planning information and capacity data, knowing the most optimal route based on current conditions and having precise information on their aircraft’s location at all times," says Berman. "This will enhance the system’s predictability, even during adverse weather conditions.”
As always, passengers impacted by delays are always advised to check the status of their flights with their airlines for the latest information.