Canada’s Airports Applaud Government of Canada’s New Safety Rules for Recreational UAV Operators

March 16, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2017

 

TORONTO – Canada’s airports are pleased with Transport Canada’s launch of an Interim Order that will help to address the growing threat Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) pose to commercial aircraft near airports or in restricted airspace.

“Canada’s airports welcome the introduction of additional safety rules for UAVs near airports,” said Daniel-Robert Gooch, the president of the Canadian Airports Council. “The proliferation of UAV’s operating in airspace around airports has been frightening, and we are pleased the Government of Canada has taken concrete steps to keep Canada’s airspace safe.”

Canada’s airports support the effort to educate distributors, retailers and purchasers of UAVs of the requirements and responsibilities of owning these aircraft systems. Enforcing compliance to the rules, and identifying an owner’s contact information on drones are essential for accountability.

“It’s important to have a multi-layered approach to raise awareness of the safety risks of UAVs operating near manned aircraft operations,” said Steve Maybee, the chair of the CAC’s Operations, Planning, Safety, Infrastructure, & Development Committee (OPSID), and vice president of operations at the Edmonton International Airport.  “Today’s announcement is a positive first step that will help users understand the risk associated with flying UAVs, and learn the rules of responsible use for the safety and security of Canada’s airspace.”

Canada’s airports are encouraged to hear the Government of Canada’s continued commitment to developing comprehensive regulations. Airports have been working with other aviation sector partners across Canada who share concerns about UAVs, and they look forward to working with Transport Canada on the development of permanent regulations.

About Canada’s Airports and the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada’s airports community.  Its 51 members represent more than 100 airports, including all of the privately operated National System Airports (NAS) and many municipal airports across Canada. CAC member airports handle more than 90 per cent of the commercial air traffic in Canada, and an even greater share of international traffic.

 

About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.