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NAV CANADA temporarily suspends overnight ATS at 18 facilities

NAV CANADA, as part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis, is temporarily suspending air navigation services overnight at 18 air traffic service facilities (listed below), including air traffic control towers and flight service stations, as well as locations that receive remote airport advisory services.

NAV CANADA notes these changes will allow it to implement flexible staffing, which reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for its operational units; ultimately, reducing the likelihood of a full unit closure.

Transport Canada has approved these temporary changes, which will be in effect for 120 days, subject to the prevailing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NAV CANADA notes affected airports will remain open and aircraft will continue to be able to land and depart. For every site where overnight ATS service will be temporarily suspended, the following enhanced services will be available:

• At a minimum, Limited Weather Information System which consists of hourly wind, temperature, dew point and altimeter information. This will maintain 24 hours/day IFR access to all airports; and

• Communication capability during all phases of flight, via flight information centers (FICs) and/or area control centers (ACCs). This will maintain communication between pilots and the respective FIC and/or ACC in order to provide current and forecast weather, NOTAM, IFR approach and departure clearances, with communication coverage to or below circuit altitude with most sites having coverage to the ground.

Overnight air navigation services will be suspended at the following facilities:

Fort Nelson, C.-B. (CYYE)
Port Hardy, C.-B. (CYZT)
Prince Albert (Glass Field), Sask. (CYPA)
Cranbrook, C.-B. (CYXC)
Penticton, C.-B. (CYYF)
Terrace, C.-B. (CYXT)
Red Deer Regional, Alb. (CYQF)
Fort St. John, C.-B. (CYXJ)
Kamloops, C.-B. (CYKA)
Deer Lake, T.-N.-L. (CYDF)
Charlottetown, Î.-P.-É (CYYG)
Saint John, N.-B. (CYSJ)
St. Anthony, T.-N.-L. (CYAY)
Sandspit, C.-B. (CYZP)
Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy, N.-É. (CYQY)
Kelowna, C.-B. (CYLW)
Victoria Intl, C.-B. (CYYJ)
Abbotsford, C.-B. (CYXX)