Integrated Air Traffic Management Technology Solutions

(Ottawa, June 7, 2010) – NAV CANADA is pleased to announce that the Company is this year’s recipient of the Eagle Award, for best air navigation service provider, from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing the world’s international airlines.

President & CEO John Crichton accepted the award on behalf of all NAV CANADA employees at the IATA Annual General meeting in Berlin earlier today. 

Said Crichton: “This award belongs to our employees. It is a resounding vote of confidence in their devotion to safety, service, efficiency and innovation.”

NAV CANADA people have built a global reputation for safety, efficiency and a wide-ranging modernization program that has also seen NAV CANADA technology sold on a commercial basis to other air navigation providers on three continents.

NAV CANADA service charges have tracked well below the rate of inflation.  “The Company has been able to manage so far through the current industry downturn without resorting to rate increases, due in large part to the efforts of all staff in conjunction with unions, to control costs throughout the business,” Crichton added.

The company recently published a report highlighting its efforts to reduce customer fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient air navigation consistent with safety. Annual airline fuel savings are well over $300 million, with equivalent GHG emissions savings.

IATA manages the Eagle Award program to recognize outstanding performance in customer satisfaction, cost efficiency and continuous improvement among both airports and Air Navigation Service Providers. NAV CANADA was a previous Eagle Award winner in 2001.

Key criteria for the award include effective customer consultation; transparency in sharing information; reasonable service charges; productivity improvements; and a positive record in safety, environment, operational and social issues.

In the association’s news release announcing this year’s award winners, IATA indicated that “NAV CANADA is a global leader in the efficient implementation and reliable delivery of air traffic control procedures and technologies. It actively engages its customers at all levels in regular and meaningful consultations.”

IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani also offered the following comment: “The performance of NAV CANADA has been enhanced by the right technical and operational investments following extensive cost/benefit analyses. Effective management and the work of all employees allowed the Company to reduce its charges in 2006 and 2007, and then hold them at that level ever since,”

In accepting the award from Dr. Assad Kotaite, Chairman of the independent IATA Eagle Awards Panel, John Crichton said: “The credit belongs to our people. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate them, and to offer my utmost respect and appreciation for everything they have done to earn this international recognition.”

NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider, is a private sector, non-share capital corporation financed through publicly-traded debt. With operations from coast to coast to coast, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation.

For further information, please contact:
John Morris
Director, Communications
NAV CANADA
(613) 563-7032

Ron Singer
Manager, Media Relations
NAV CANADA
(613) 563-7303

NAV CANADA Media Information Line: 1-888-562-8226