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July 16, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

NAV CANADA chooses Gander as its high-level air navigation base in Atlantic Canada Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and MHA - Gander praised yesterday's announcement by NAV CANADA to consolidate its Atlantic Canadian operations by reassigning high-level domestic airspace to Gander. Prior to this announcement, high-level civil air navigation services for the Atlantic Canadian Region were provided through centres in both Moncton, New Brunswick and Gander.

"Both the premier and myself have met with Kenneth Copelan, president and CEO of NAV CANADA in actively pursuing this opportunity for Gander," Ms. Kelly said. "Speaking from both a human resources and technical point of view, Gander is certainly the better equipped to manage the Atlantic operations of NAV CANADA. This is good news for Gander and for the province because it speaks to the fact that large organizations are recognizing the benefits of doing business in the province and in establishing core operations here. The announcement also brings a measure of stability to the future of the Gander Area Control Centre."

Yesterday's announcement comes as a result of a benefit-cost analysis, and technical study into NAV CANADA's management of its high- level domestic airspace in the Atlantic Region. According to NAV CANADA, relocating operations to Gander will mean a more efficient and effective service for NAV CANADA customers.

"This decision further strengthens Gander's already impressive reputation as a superior leader in the air navigation services industry. I congratulate all those individuals and groups who, throughout the years, have been working to develop Gander Air Traffic Control into an internationally known air navigation provider of choice," the minister said. "I look forward to a productive working relationship with NAV CANADA and its Board of Directors which will be meeting in Gander in October of this year."

Following the reassignment and training of surplus personnel and trainers, the Gander Area Control Centre will require eight additional air traffic controllers to manage the combined high-level airspace in Atlantic Canada.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, (709) 729- 0928.