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July-August, 2007

Jim Facette The late John F. Kennedy is famous for having said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". So what have Canada's airports done for their country?

Fifteen years ago the federal government transferred not only the operations of Canada's airports; they also passed on the responsibility to realize the full potential of the airports. The record of the past 15 years has demonstrated that airport authorities have done, and continue to do, a great deal for Canada.

Today airport authorities operate efficient, safe and modern facilities that are the pride and joy of not only the communities in which they are situated, but the provinces and the country for which they welcome visitors. Canada's airports are the front door of a community and often the first impression of the air traveling public. With a growing number of international passengers, both business and tourism, Canadian airport facilities continue to evolve striving for a balance between safety and security and facilitation.

...for the passenger

It's true that when a person decides to travel by air to a destination, they do so for the experience of their destination. That said, all the points a passenger will touch before their destination is reached have a role to play in the travel experience. That is why airports are working hard to simplify the check-in and pre-board screening processes, the movements within the airport facilities, by offering amenities that provide greater convenience, and facilitation processes like Nexus, transit without visa, and electronic pre-inspection lines (E-PIL) that will make things easier for the passenger without compromising safety or security.

...for the community

Since transfer, airports are more aggressive in marketing not just their airports to airlines, but their communities and Canada as a destination.

The success of the corporate governance structure has made it necessary that airports work with local community stakeholders in order to attract new air service. The net result is that the community benefits from increased opportunity and choice; with this comes competitive prices.

Opportunity is created through new business and tourism that new carriers bring. This is why Canadian airports continue to believe that the new Blue Sky policy announced by Minister Cannon must lead to aggressive new Open Skies air service agreements. The choice is simple - more flights from different carriers gives people greater choice of destinations and carriers.

...for the economy

$9 billion is a lot of money; since 1992 Canada's airports have upgraded the quality of the physical assets that make up the vast airports system in Canada. Everything from a new world-class terminal building in Toronto to significant terminal changes in Halifax to new airport public transit connections in Vancouver to renovations in London, all symbolize the investment, jobs, and overall contribution airports make to their local communities. Local trades people, engineers, equipment operators and construction suppliers of all kinds are benefactors to the investments made by airports.

The indirect economic spin-off is enormous; business of all types benefit from greater air service, whether it is a software or hardware company looking to expand their reach or tourism-related businesses trying to attract conferences or tour operators. The better the air access to a community, the greater the potential for economic benefits.

...for the environment

As corporate citizens, airports understand that their responsibility also includes environmental responsibility. An often overlooked part of what airports do is the degree of recycling of materials that goes on for many projects. Airports like Toronto Pearson incorporate environmental sensitivity practices and policies that use an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets the specifications of the ISO 14000 international standards.

Like others, Aéroports de Montréal has an environmental policy that commits the corporation to consider such things as the "full integration of environmental considerations into all aspects of its activities."As an industry association, the CAC is supporting the worldwide information campaign Enviro.aero.

...for safety and security

Canada's airports are safe and secure; they are continually working with the federal government and local law enforcement to ensure that the proper safety and security measures are in place.

With Restricted Area Identity Cards (RAIC), security programs and safety drills airport operators are extremely vigilant. Airport personnel work with the Canada Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to make sure that federal government screening regulations and practices improve the safe and secure flow of passengers and cargo.

Doing our part is a never ending endeavor; airports bring a lot of benefits to the community, the province and Canada. Airports will continue to work with stakeholders as our potential and sphere of influence grow.

Euopean Emissions Plan Violates Open Skies -- U.S. Says

The United States says that a new European Union proposal to include international airlines in a new emissions trading plan violates the recently signed EU-U.S. Open Skies Agreement, Reuters reports. The move raises the spectre that EU officials may try to tie environmental issues into the EU's own upcoming aviation talks with Canada, scheduled to begin in the fall.

According to the Reuters report from late June, the EU plan would require all international airlines serving the EU to have emissions permits starting in 2012. But the Bush administration says the proposal violates not only its new Open Skies agreement, but also the 1944 Chicago Convention.

In addition to the U.S., Canada reportedly is among four other countries that have sent a joint letter to the EU presidency to voice their concerns.

In a European Commission communication regarding a new civil aviation policy of the EU toward Canada, including an Open Aviation Area, the Commission says that:

"An agreement between the European Union and Canada would need to maintain and reinforce high standards of safety, security and environmental protection for air services."

In its submission to Transport Canada regarding the upcoming talks with Europe, currently being drafted through the Air Policy & Facilitation Committee, the CAC contends that while harmonization in some areas may be to Canada's benefit, it should not hold up the progress of talks.

"While Canada's airports do not oppose the additional "elements" referred to in the EU-U.S. agreement, it would be unfortunate if tackling some of these issues within the context of Canada-EU air service talks delayed or stalled air service liberalization."

The CAC also contends that the EU-U.S. experience furthermore, supports an approach in which particularly contentious issues can be dealt with at a later time in the interests of expediency.

As the EU finds its emissions plan may be outside the scope of its Open Skies agreement with the U.S., it should not come as a surprise if the EU seeks to rectify this oversight when it tackles an agreement with Canada.

MONTHLY NUMBERS

Introducing Constant Contact

You may have noticed that the CAC has been using a new system for some kinds of communication. Constant Contact is a Web-based system for bulk emails that the CAC is using for all newsletters, bulletins, press releases and certain other emails to members.

There are several advantages to using Constant Contact, Most notably that it is "built" for bulk emails at a time when the proliferation of spam has made things more complicated for legitimate organizations to use email to communicate with their constituents.

With Constant Contact it is very easy for individuals to add themselves to/remove themselves from our public communications (committee and member distribution lists are controlled by the CAC office).

It is important to note, however, that those who choose to unsubscribe by clicking the safe unsubscribe link at the bottom of a Constant Contact email are unsubscribing themselves from all CAC communication -- including bulletins and other important CAC communications. Update Profile/Email Address is the path that allows users to change their email subscription options, such as to stop receiving press releases without unsubscribing from bulletins.

Constant Contact is proving to be of revolutionary benefit to the association in how it communicates. Look forward to other innovations over the coming months.

Georgian College Co-Op Students Available

Georgian College's Aviation Management Program is seeking employers for its fall Co-Op program.

The college's most advanced group of Aviation Management students are beginning to look for their third and final aviation co-op work term this fall and they are looking for positions with employers like airports.

Georgian students can work for airports this year from September 4th until December 21st. In most cases they have eight months of aviation-related work experience, a Radio Operators Certificate, DA license and Transport Canada Security clearance. In addition, students have completed two years of in-class academic instruction majoring in aviation operations and management.

Additional Information for Employers

Form to Post a Job

For more information, call Sara Christensen

at (705) 728-1968 ext 5281 or via email at schristensen@georgianc.on.ca

CANADIAN NEWS
YVR Wins IATA Eagle Award

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) last month recognised the achievements of Vancouver Airport Authority by awarding it with an Eagle Award.

IATA's Eagle Awards honour airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) for outstanding performance in customer satisfaction, cost efficiency and continuous improvement.

On Vancouver Airport Authority, IATA noted that despite a $1 billion capital expansion programme, YVR froze its aeronautical rates at the 2007 level until 2010. IATA says that throughout its expansion programme, YVR has been rigorous in engaging its customers in reviews of priorities and cost efficiency.

IATA also noted that in 2007 the airport significantly lowered international landing charges, saving airlines over $6 million.

"Its cost control efforts, combined with a reduction in Crown Rents, have enabled the airport to reduce its charges," said IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani regarding Vancouver in a statement. "The Canadian government should take careful note of the YVR example and abolish Crown Rent altogether to build an even more competitive air transport sector."

The awards were presented at IATA's Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit taking place in Vancouver, Canada, based on the recommendations of the independent Eagle Award Panel.

Nav Canada Reduces Service Charges, Extends Charges to Include VLJs

Nav Canada has announced that it will be proceeding with reductions in its customer service charges totalling four per cent effective Aug. 1.

This will include a three per cent reduction already announced, that will come into effect Aug. 1, one month ahead of the original proposed date. In addition, the company has decided to add a temporary one per cent reduction for the period Aug. 1, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2008.

Nav Canada says the three per cent rate reduction will save customers $37 million annually with an additional $3.5 million in savings related to the earlier implementation date, and customers will benefit through an additional $13 million from the company's decision to add the further one per cent temporary reduction.

With the introduction of Very Light Jets (VLJs) Nav Canada also announced it will be extending its daily and movement-based charges to jet aircraft weighing three tonnes or less, effective March 1, 2008. These changes are in recognition of the entry of jet aircraft into lower weight categories originally occupied by propeller aircraft.

Destination Canada: Are We Doing Enough?

Destination Canada Cover Deloitte and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) recently presented the first in a series of planned research initiatives aimed at addressing challenges facing the Canadian tourism sector. The report, entitled Destination Canada - Are We Doing Enough - looks at a particularly important challenge - The declining number of American travellers and their perception of Canada as a travel destination.

Canada's travel deficit with the United States reached $4.5 billion in 2006, its highest level in 13 years. Not only are Canadians taking more trips south of the border, 16 million overnight trips, to be exact - but fewer Americans are venturing north, due to:

A Canadian dollar closing in on a 30 year-high (historically, the exchange rate has had the biggest impact on U.S. visits to Canada)
A slowing U.S. economy
Escalating prices at the gas pumps
Confusion over new border and passport requirements
Stepped-up border security measures since 9/11 and
Declining interest in and awareness of Canada as a travel destination

In 1950, when only 25 million travellers were off to see the world, Canada ranked second in terms of inbound tourist numbers, and the top five destinations saw 71% of all the action. By 2005, Canada had dropped from the top 10 into 11th place, behind Mexico, Austria and Turkey, and the top five tourist destinations held only a 32.7% market share.

Destination Canada: Are We Doing Enough

Vancouver Celebrates Opening of International Terminal Expansion

Vancouver Airport Authority last month celebrated the official opening of the completed international terminal expansion, including an indoor stream surrounded by cafés, restaurants and 4,000 square metres of duty free shopping, and a large aquarium showcasing B.C.'s indigenous sea life.

The new wing also features four significant new works by B.C. artists. The celebration, attended by community and business leaders, saw the unveiling of Dempsey Bob's Fog Woman and Raven following a Musqueam dedication ceremony.

The $200-million, 36,000 square-metre expansion is the cornerstone of the airport authority's $1.0-billion construction program, and was designed to better accommodate the airport's growing passenger traffic and the larger aircraft of the future. The four new gates of the International Terminal expansion opened for operation in March, while work continued on the water features and retail areas.

Features of the wing include a 114,000-litre central aquarium housing some 850 indigenous sea animals and a 3,800-litre jellyfish tank with 100 moon jellies, operated by the Vancouver Aquarium.

YVR's new duty free provider, Spanish company Aldeasa, is one of the world's largest travel retail specialists. The company's 13 duty free shops include Western Canada's first MANGO boutique; a full range of luxury brands, including one of the world's only Hermès boutiques; children's clothing; electronics; health, wellness and beauty products; and a full range of duty free favourites with prices to fit every budget.

Passengers departing from the new wing will enjoy a new Milestone's restaurant and a food court with a variety of dining options. Those who wish to relax and enjoy the indoor stream setting can do so in one of the area's 2,200 seats, while travellers rushing to their gates are assisted by 400 metres of moving walkways and 27 plasma signs that switch between multiple languages.

The expansion was funded through a combination of airport revenue sources, including retail sales, airplane landing fees and the Airport Improvement Fee. The airport authority's $1 billion construction program is expected to generate 5,200 person-years of employment and $525 million in direct GDP.

The Vancouver event comes on the heels of the recently opened international pier at Toronto's Pearson Airport. Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Winnipeg also have terminal expansion projects underway.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Airlines Say EU Environment Plan would Cripple Industry

The European airline sector is coming out against a proposed European Union plan for a greenhouse gas cap and trading system, saying it would cripple the industry with USD $5.4 billion a year in extra costs.

According to a report from the Seattle Times, the EU plan would see airlines trade pollution allowances in the "near future." Emissions would be capped at the 2004-2006 average level.

Airlines reportedly say that are committeed to a carbon trading system but want a higher cap set. Citing an Ernst and Young report they commissioned, the carriers says the current plan would hurt the economy and cut off remote areas from tourist traffic.

British Airways was the first airline to announce a carbon offset plan, which sees passengers pay money that goes to an environmental company that invests in projects to reduce greenhouse gasses. Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and Continetal Airlines have since announced programs of their own.

Air Taxi Association Formed in the U.S.

The Air Taxi Association (ATXA) today formally announced its launch last month, with the backing of major next-generation air taxi providers in the United States alongside initial air taxi providers in Europe.

The organization aims to "unite the air taxi industry and provide services to increase demand for personal air travel at business airline prices."

Principal air taxi companies on the Air Taxi Association's policy-setting board include DayJet, Earthjet, ImagineAir, JetBird, JumpJet, Linear Air, TaxiJet Spain, and SATSair, among other leading air taxi providers. Dr. Bruce Holmes, DayJet Director of Aeronautical Research, will serve as ATXA Chairman of the Board.

Designed to complement existing aviation organizations and infrastructure, the Air Taxi Association's members aim to set key business standards. The ATXA also aims to work with technology providers and partner companies to create policies that will benefit the emerging industry. In addition, the organization will establish a unified focus to improve relations with the general aviation industry.

Canada's Airports:
Working Together, Moving Forward

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada's airports. Formed in 1991, as the devolution of airports to local control was beginning, the CAC has established itself as the reliable and credible federal representative for airports on a wide range of significant issues and concerns.

Canada's airports are engines for economic development in the communities they serve and one of their most important elements of local infrastructure: Our communities' vital links to intra-provincial, national and international trade and commerce. Our 43 members represent 150 Canadian airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most passenger service airports in every province and territory.

Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation's air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic. The economic impact of CAC member airports is staggering. They create well in excess of $30 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve. And more than 150,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.