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The CEO of the Regina Airport Authority joined the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Wednesday to address some concerns passengers may have about the potential loss of the airport’s air traffic control tower.
James Bogusz said it doesn’t mean the airport won’t be safe.
“I don’t want to suggest for a minute that NAV Canada would run an unsafe operation under any circumstance,” said Bogusz.
Bogusz said the control tower is currently used for about 16 hours per day. Outside of those hours, the airport uses an advisory service.
NAV Canada is currently doing a review, which will consider having the Regina airport rely on the advisory service 24/7.
Bogusz said that would constrain capacity at the airport and he’s doing everything he can to keep the control tower.
“I certainly don’t want to suggest it’s unsafe, but obviously the highest level of safety and the highest level of efficiency is having air traffic control towers right here at YQR,” said Bogusz.
Bogusz has also heard concerns that airlines may decide to fly out of Saskatoon instead if Regina loses its control tower. He said he’s not sure where that’s coming from.
He explained airlines make commercial decisions and if there is demand in Regina to fly to hub cities in Canada, airlines are going to put planes on those routes.
However, he did point out what’s new is Air Canada has decided to bundle Saskatoon with Regina to try to grow the load factor.
“Some of the flights that go to some of those Canadian cities now will first go to both Saskatoon and Regina to try to collect enough passengers. I have to believe that’s where this (rumour) is coming from but I’ve not heard anything about consolidation,” said Bogusz.
Any decision by NAV Canada on the future of the air traffic control tower must be approved by Transport Canada. That’s why Bogusz said he has reached out to the federal transport minister asking him to get NAV Canada to stop the review process, especially given that layoff notices have already been issued.
The Regina Airport Authority is now operating on a line of credit, following cuts and layoffs with only four departures per day.
Bogusz said the airport lost about $5 million in operations in 2020 and is on track to lose roughly $8 million in 2021, adding a line of credit won’t cover that. He continues to plead with the federal government for bailout money.
“We’re very hopeful something gives soon,” he said. “It certainly needs to.”