NAV CANADA 2020 CSR Highlights

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As Canada's air navigation service provider, NAV CANADA plays a unique and critical role managing the 18 million square kilometres of Canadian civil airspace and the North Atlantic oceanic airspace under Canada’s control.

With our ongoing commitment to reducing aviation's carbon footprint, by working closely with our customers and the industry, and through our efforts in our communities, we continue to develop a safe, efficient and sustainable air navigation system.

This past fiscal year, our work took on new importance, as NAV CANADA employees played a vital role in Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. From helping to ensure remote communities continued to receive regular deliveries of essential goods, to assisting with emergency healthcare flights, the Company kept Canada’s skies open and safe, while carefully following public health guidance to restrict the spread of the virus. As a result of COVID-19 and the resulting global economic downturn, the Company underwent unprecedented change in Fiscal 2020, but through it all, employee’s commitment and dedication to the communities they serve did not waver - cementing employees' position as good corporate citizens.

On this page, we take a look back at some of our key initiatives and accomplishments in these areas in fiscal year 2020.

Less time and fuel burn through optimized runway use

A new approach to separation criteria at Canada’s major airports.

Up until the sudden changes to our industry caused by COVID-19, air traffic in Canada had seen steady year-over-year growth for the past decade. And while the duration and full impact of the pandemic are unknown, air traffic is expected to rise over time, increasing the demand for capacity at Canada’s four major airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport.

In anticipation of this growth, NAV CANADA led several initiatives aimed at increasing the number of aircraft that can land and depart from these airports each hour, as well as safely reducing the separation standards between arriving aircraft to optimize runway use at capacity constrained airports.

Laying the foundation for this growth, in fiscal 2019 NAV CANADA became one of the first International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) members to implement new wake turbulence separation standards on arrival. This was accomplished by introducing additional weight categories and new separation standards based on aircraft wake characteristics and resistance to wake by subsequent aircraft.

In fiscal 2020, our post-implementation analysis found that using the new wake turbulence standards in Toronto provided the airport with the opportunity to increase its available arrival capacity. This change will allow planes to spend less time waiting to land, reducing their fuel consumption and in turn, lowering their emissions.

Continued benefits to shorter approaches

Moving away from conventional airport approaches for fewer miles, less fuel and lowered emissions.

As of August 31, 2020, RNP AR approaches were available at 21 Canadian airports, including Kelowna (CYLW), Calgary (CYYC), Ottawa (CYOW), Halifax (CYHZ), Edmonton (CYEG), Winnipeg (CYWG), St. Johns (CYYT), Regina (CYQR), Brandon (CYBR), Saskatoon (CYXE), Deer Lake (CYDF), Quebec City (CYQB), Thunder Bay (CYQT), London (CYXU), Kitchener/Waterloo (CYKF), Kamloops (CYKA), Toronto Island (CYTZ), Terrace (CYXT), Comox (CYQQ), Vancouver (CYVR), and Prince George (CYXS).

In Fiscal 2020, RNP ARs were used 52,337 times, reducing planes’ track miles by 313,690. This decreased fuel burn by 1,648,192 litres and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 4,213,930 kg CO₂e. These figures are lower than originally estimated, due to the decrease in air traffic due to COVID-19.

Increasing efficiency from outer space

Continued savings over the North Atlantic through the use of space-based surveillance.

The introduction of Space-Based (SB) ADS-B in the North Atlantic (NAT) continues to offer improved safety and the ability to reduce the distance between planes crossing the ocean. As the volume of aircraft crossing the NAT is expected to increase in the coming years, SB ADS-B will provide the opportunity for increased capacity and efficiency benefits, such as improved service delivery, more fuel-efficient flight levels and the introduction of Variable Mach.

In Gander Oceanic Airspace, 77 percent of flights received their requested flight level, speed and point of entry in March 2020, compared to only 70 percent in March 2019. Between March 15, 2019 - March 14, 2020, there were 14,300 more flights operating at their requested profile compared to the previous 12-month period.

The fuel savings for flights that were cleared to a more efficient flight level averaged 470 kg per flight for a three hour oceanic duration over the NAT. This translates to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 1,480 kg of CO₂ equivalent per flight.

Additionally, SB ADS-B opened the skies for operations without an Assigned Fixed Speed (OWAFS). This was introduced in Gander OCA on January 30, 2020 and allowed flights crossing the NAT to use variable speeds. By giving planes the flexibility to adjust their speeds based on factors such as wind and weather conditions, flights are more fuel efficient, which in turn reduces the aviation industry’s impact on the environment. In Gander-Shanwick between January 30 – March 14, 2020, 31,100 flights (55 percent) were cleared for Variable Mach.

Energy savings through enhanced building automation

Upgrading systems at a key facility in Ottawa.

At NAV CANADA’s Technical Systems Centre, located in Ottawa, Ontario, a new Building Automation System was introduced in Fiscal 2020. This new system significantly improved our ability to control the building’s environment, improve efficiencies and receive alerts when heating or cooling equipment needs adjusted or is not performing to its given specifications.

Remote web-access is now available to monitor the facility and immediately address alarms without stepping foot in the building. This has allowed us to reduce our response times and costs. In addition, the new system has been particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as situations can be addressed quickly and efficiently without exposing employees to potential risks.

With the support of the building automation system’s service provider, Automated Logic, the project was submitted to Hydro Ottawa’s Save on Energy Program, which supports companies that invest in energy reduction initiatives. After reviewing the project, the investment being made and evaluating the potential energy savings, Hydro Ottawa awarded NAV CANADA a rebate of approximately $88,000.

Partnering for education and inspiration in aviation

Investing in future generations with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Work is well underway at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum for their first air navigation services exhibit, which is expected to open in 2021. In fiscal 2020, key artifacts were collected by the museum from NAV CANADA and graphic designs, infographics and the exhibit’s text were completed.

Through the development of a permanent exhibition at the museum, an accompanying travelling exhibition, and educational programming and materials, this new addition will raise public awareness about Canada’s dynamic aviation and space industry. Rooted in discovery and innovation, the exhibit aims to inspire a new generation of innovators and leaders to make their mark in the aviation industry.

Supporting Canada's response to COVID-19

The NAV CENTRE played a critical role in supporting the Canadian government and Canadians impacted by COVID-19.

Quarantine support was provided at the NAV CENTRE to accommodate 129 Canadian evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in February 2020. Additionally, hundreds of support personnel from various agencies stayed at the NAV CENTRE to assist with the evacuees' quarantine period. The request from the federal government to quarantine the Canadian passengers was urgent and the team at the NAV CENTRE only had a few days to prepare the facility. On site issues management support included media response, liaison with Cornwall's Mayor and coordinating communications with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Red Cross.

A growing success story

Leveraging flight inspection trips to bring hockey equipment to northern communities.

When NAV CANADA's flight inspection aircraft travels to remote Northern locations, it also delivers new and gently-used hockey gear to children and youth in those communities. Now in its fourth year, in partnership with Canadian Tire and the Ottawa Senators, NAV CANADA's Hockey North program has facilitated the donation of 275 bags full of hockey equipment to young people living in some of Canada's most remote communities.

Led by Mike Misener, NAV CANADA's Director of Technology Infrastructure Services, the program provides new opportunities for youth to stay active and engaged by playing Canada's national game. This past year, Hockey North had a record year, distributing 100 bags of hockey equipment just before the pandemic was declared.

Funds for Hockey North are raised through donations and the sale of retired NAV CANADA computers. This past year, NAV CANADA’s flight service team in Kuujjuaq, Québec, and the company’s Flight Operations team played central roles in helping to ensure the gear was collected and distributed on time to the communities with the greatest need.

Stepping up in times of need

Outstanding initiatives driven by our employees

While fiscal 2020 presented many unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many NAV CANADA employees took it upon themselves to find new and creative ways to raise their friends, families, communities and co-worker’s spirits, while giving back to those in need.

In London, Ontario, for example, led by NAV CANADA Flight Service Specialist Liam Spurgeon, employees at the Flight Information Centre and London Tower came together to support their community by launching a fundraising drive. The group raised close to $1,300, half of which was used to purchase meals for healthcare workers and the other half was donated to the London Foodbank.

In Cornwall, Ontario, NAV CANADA Technical Instructor Daniel Gonzalez took it upon himself to 3D print over 100 “ear savers” and face shields for employees at the Cornwall Community Hospital. These items were donated to the hospital in April, 2020, when personal protective equipment was in high demand.

Helping to cap the year on a high note, NAV CANADA employees from coast-to-coast-to-coast joined and contributed to a musical group on Facebook called NavCan Jam. With over 1,000 members, consisting of current, past and retired NAV CANADA employees, the group kept each other’s spirits high during some of 2020’s darkest moments.

2020 CSR Highlights

Annual Report

Impacting the Environment

Impacting our Communities