Proposes Changes To Canadian Aviation Safety Regulations Dealing With Runway Excursions

While Canada has one of the safest aviation systems in the world, its federal government will continue its work to improve airport safety.  

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau (pictured), has announced proposed changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to better protect passengers, crews and aircraft in the event an aircraft leaves the end of a runway. The amendments would better align Canada with international standards.

The proposed measures would require Canada's busiest airports to extend their runway end safety area to 150 metres in order to provide extra space for an aircraft to stop safely in case of emergency. The changes would apply to 28 Canadian airports that have scheduled commercial flights and an annual threshold of at least 325,000 passengers.

The proposed measures also include other means of compliance for airports where land is not available. Airport operators would have the option to adjust a runway's distances or install a system that would help slow down an aircraft at the end of the runway.

Transport Canada will continue to engage with impacted airports on the new requirements. Airports would have two years to comply.

Canadians and the air industry are invited to provide feedback on the proposed regulations through Canada Gazette, Part I.

"Canada has one of the safest aviation systems in the world and we continue to support additional measures to enhance safety for the public. The proposed changes for runway end safety areas improve existing safety measures in place and better align with international standards," said The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport. "Transport Canada will remain engaged with affected airports on the implementation of the new requirements."

(Source: Transport Canada news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca