While NavCanada Proposing Its Own Changes

Meanwhile, ATC services provider NavCanada this month formally notified operators and the public of its proposed new and revised service charges for air navigation services. NavCanada said its new fee structure would become effective on March 1, 2006, and results from a review of its rate stabilization account and aeronautical publications plus the charging and cost-allocation methodologies it uses begun in January. According to the company, the proposed revisions represent changes in methodology only and are designed to result in the same total revenue for NavCanada, if not changes in costs for some operators. Under the proposed changes, NavCanada will be tweaking many of the fees it imposes, including the terminal services charge, the daily charges and the international communication services charge. Additionally, the organization is proposing increases in its rate stabilization account and changing its credit terms and conditions.

An example of what NavCanada has planned can be found in its proposed new daily charge at eight international airports for aircraft weighing three metric tons or less. After reviewing the annual charges imposed on smaller aircraft, NavCanada “believes that an additional charge — over and above the annual and quarterly charges — is warranted at the eight major international airports…. It seems fair and reasonable that aircraft weighing three ton or less … should contribute more than the Annual and Quarterly charges.” The new charges, said NavCanada, would “serve as an incentive for small aircraft to use reliever airports, which are available at nearly all locations.” The company said it is accepting public comments on its proposals through Feb. 3, 2006.