Ottawa company to run Nunavut's small airport radio communications

An Ottawa-based company will take over air traffic radio operations at small airports across Nunavut on April 1. 

Operations at Community Aerodrome Radio Stations are currently sub-contracted by the government of Nunavut to several companies. Subcontractors are responsible for providing airport advisory and flight information services through Nav Canada, the country's civil air navigation services provider. 

ATS Services Limited currently operates seven sites in Nunavut but in just over one month's time, it will be responsible for 22 aerodrome stations. 

The territorial government said dealing with one company will make radio operations a lot smoother.

But Jim Stevens, from Nunavut's transportation department, said not all station operators are happy with ATS taking over the contracting role from the territory. 

"It's a mix," he said. Some are happy with what ATS is offering, while other operators are saying it "isn't as good" as the government contracts, Stevens added.  

David McPhail, director of ATS, said his company isn't looking to put smaller operators out of business.

"We've put out to the contractors a couple of scenarios for their continued operation either as independent or contracting under ATS," he said.

ATS is currently visiting aerodrome stations in the communities it doesn't yet run to look at their radio operations.