Brian Dunn/MONTREAL
Canadian Airlines plans to add a surtax of C$7.50 ($4.85) one-way on domestic and US flights and C$15 on overseas flights to compensate for an increase in air navigation fees from 1 March.
The Calgary-based carrier says it will be charged $131 million a year by Nav Canada, up from C$69 million last year. Air Canada plansa similar surtax, but has not decided the rate or implementation date.
Nav Canada, the private company responsible for domestic air navigation, is raising fees to compensate for the elimination of government subsidies and the tax that used to be added to ticket prices. From 1 March, Nav Canada will be funded solely by user fees.
Meanwhile, Canadian air traffic controllers have begun rotating "information demonstrations" across the country to draw attention to what they call "intolerable" working conditions they claim threaten the safety of air travel.
The 2,100 controllers are targeting Nav Canada. They say facilities at major airports are understaffed and controllers are forced to work long hours in stressful conditions. They say the system is short by more than 200 controllers.
Nav Canada and the controllers are attempting to negotiate a new contract, although the two sides are at an impasse and a conciliator will begin hearings in March.
Source: Flight International
