No. H061/02For release - June 13, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that the government will proceed with a new Aircraft Emergency Intervention Services (AEIS) regulation that will apply to medium-sized airports across Canada.
The new regulation forms an important part of a comprehensive emergency response system across Canada and builds on an already safe aviation system. When combined with existing rules for Canada's large airports, this regulation extends Canada's emergency response coverage to 96 per cent of the travelling public. To help airports implement the new regulation, Transport Canada previously expanded the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) to include $15 million in funding for AEIS.
"Canada has an enviable safety record at all its airports, and the new regulation builds on this strong foundation to achieve even higher levels of safety," said Mr. Collenette.
The rule will apply to airports that handle more than 2,800 passenger flights per year (approximately four arrivals and departures per day) by aircraft that seat 20 or more passengers. Transport Canada expects approximately 25 airports will be covered by the new regulation. It builds on existing regulations which already apply to the 28 largest Canadian airports and the revised requirement for all airports to prepare emergency response plans for Transport Canada's approval.
"This regulation is a significant step forward in providing a comprehensive and effective emergency response system for airports across Canada," added Mr. Collenette. "The regulation complements our strong inspection and aviation safety program already in place and strengthens the required emergency response capability for medium-sized airports across Canada."
All airports have one year to gather statistics on aircraft movements to determine whether or not they are covered by the new regulation, and a further year to acquire the necessary equipment and train personnel. Some of these medium-sized airports already have services in place that meet the new requirements.
The new AEIS regulation was created in consultation with stakeholders through the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council as part of a comprehensive and thorough review of all issues related to aircraft fire fighting and emergency response at airports.
In addition to its ongoing audit and inspection program, Transport Canada will formally review the full range of emergency response services in three years' time.
Airports required to provide AEIS - and providers of these services - are eligible for funding under ACAP to help cover initial capital costs for vehicles, ongoing vehicle replacement and initial training. Since ACAP was introduced in 1995, the Government of Canada has announced a total of $238 million for 292 safety improvement projects at 132 airports.
The new regulation has been approved by the Governor-in-Council and will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 19, 2002.
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Contact:
Anthony PolciDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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BACKGROUNDER
AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY INTERVENTION SERVICE STANDARDS
The new Aircraft Emergency Intervention Services (AEIS) Regulation establishes specific emergency response standards at the busiest medium-sized airports that serve commercial passenger-carrying aircraft.
The regulation requires aircraft emergency intervention services at Canadian airports that handle more than 2,800 passenger flights per year (approximately four arrivals and departures per day), by aircraft that seat 20 or more passengers. It is expected to apply to approximately 25 airports. The new regulation builds on existing Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR 303) which already apply to the 28 largest Canadian airports and the requirement for all airports to prepare emergency response plans for Transport Canada's approval.
The new Aircraft Emergency Intervention Services Regulation will require:
A communication and alerting system.
A vehicle capable of delivering 2,400 litres of firefighting foam and 135 kilograms of dry chemical extinguisher.
A firm five-minute response time from the time the alarm is sounded to the time the vehicle reaches the mid-point of the furthest runway, for either onsite or offsite aircraft emergency intervention.
A signed agreement with any offsite community-based provider of emergency response services.
Coverage of 100 per cent of operations involving aircraft that seat 20 or more passengers.
Trained personnel at the airport during the hours of operations to operate the AEIS equipment.
In the case of community firefighting service, a person onsite during airliner arrivals and departures to alert community firefighters.
Personnel providing AEIS to be trained according to standards set by Transport Canada.
Total anticipated costs to implement the new regulation across the airport system are:
$11 million in start-up costs, and
$1 million annual ongoing costs.
Start-up and ongoing capitals costs are eligible for consideration under Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program, which has been expanded by $15 million for aircraft emergency intervention services. Ongoing operational costs are estimated at approximately $35,000 for each affected airport. With 2,800 passenger flights per year (approximately four arrivals and departures per day), these airports should be able to generate sufficient revenues to cover the ongoing operating costs imposed by this regulation.
All airports have one year to gather statistics on aircraft movements to determine whether or not they are covered by the new regulation, and a further year to acquire the necessary equipment and train personnel.
A Transport Canada review of aircraft movement statistics indicates that the airports potentially affected by the new regulation are: Wabush and Deer Lake, in Newfoundland and Labrador; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Sept-Îles, Mont-Joli, Val-d'Or, Rouyn, Kuujjuarapik and Kuujjuaq, in Quebec; Hamilton, Timmins and Moosonee, in Ontario; Thompson, Manitoba; Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray, in Alberta; Abbotsford, Kamloops, Terrace, Nanaimo, Campbell River and Fort St. John, in British Columbia; Whitehorse in Yukon; Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Arviat, in Nunavut.
Some of these airports already have services in place that meet the requirements. Airports that do not fall under the regulation may still opt to meet the standards.
June 2002
AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ACAP)
The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, airports may apply for funding toward capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, an airport must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements, and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
In June 2000, ACAP eligibility and funding was expanded to accommodate requirements of the proposed Aircraft Emergency Intervention Services (AEIS) regulations created as an amendment to the Canadian Aviation Regulations. As a result, airports that will be required to provide AEIS, and their emergency service providers, will be eligible to apply for funding for appropriate projects.
The current size of the ACAP envelope is $190 million, and will be allocated over five years at an average of $38M per year. Contributions will be considered for the following types of projects:
First priority projects include safety-related airside projects, such as the rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons, associated lighting, visual aids, sand storage sheds and utilities to service eligible items. This category also includes related site-preparation costs (including associated environmental costs), and aircraft firefighting specialized vehicles and ancillary equipment and equipment shelters that are necessary to maintain the regulated level of protection at an airport.
Second priority projects include safety-related heavy airside mobile equipment, such as runway snowblowers, runway snowplows, runway sweepers, spreaders, and winter friction testing devices.
Third priority projects include safety-related air terminal building/groundside projects, such as sprinkler systems, asbestos removal, and barrier-free access.
Fourth priority projects include asset protection or refurbishing, or operating cost reduction related to the air terminal building or groundside access, and heavy airside mobile equipment shelters.
Priority for funding will also be established on the basis of a detailed technical analysis of a facility's condition and maintenance history, an examination of an airport's traffic and airport certification requirements, and consideration of industry advice.
To be acceptable, projects must maintain or improve safety levels, protect airport assets, or significantly reduce operating costs. All projects must also meet accepted engineering practices and be justified on the basis of current demand. Projects requiring an expansion of an airport's facilities will only be considered if it can be demonstrated that the current facilities negatively impact safety.
Transport Canada's first priority is safety. Through ACAP, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance not only airport safety, but the economic viability of this important aspect of Canada's transportation infrastructure.
June 2002
BACKGROUNDER
AIRPORT SAFETY IN CANADA
Canada has a national airport system that is a key element in our national transportation infrastructure. In accordance with the National Airports Policy, Canada is devolving the operation of airports to local authorities and is finalizing the modernization of its airport safety regulations for this new operating environment.
Canada has an enviable safety record at its airports and the revised regulations are building on this strong foundation to achieve even higher levels of safety. The airport safety regulations focus on accident prevention through risk management, and are enforced by a comprehensive national system of inspections and audits.
In addition to preventing accidents, Transport Canada is committed to providing a comprehensive emergency response system at Canadian airports across the country. With the implementation of the new Aircraft Emergency Intervention Services (AEIS) regulation, together with existing fire fighting regulations for Canada's 28 busiest airports, and the regulation for emergency response plans at all airports, Transport Canada has put in place an effective emergency response system with services appropriate to traffic levels at individual airports.
Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 303
CAR 303 applies to the 28 airports that currently handle about 94 per cent of air travellers in Canada. Twenty-five of these airports form a core network known as the National Airports System (NAS). NAS airports include those in the national and provincial and territorial capitals, as well as airports that handle at least 200,000 passengers each year and are the points of origin and destination for almost all inter-provincial and international air service in Canada.
Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 308
The new AEIS regulation will cover medium-sized airports receiving more than 2,800 passenger flights per year (approximately four arrivals and departures per day) by aircraft that seat 20 or more passengers. This new regulation provides an appropriate and effective emergency response service, and strengthens the required emergency response capability for approximately another two per cent of air travellers in Canada.
Emergency Response Plans
All airports, including those covered by CAR 303 or CAR 308 are required to prepare and submit to Transport Canada for approval an emergency response plan detailing the airport's response in the event of a declared emergency or accident. Therefore, small airports must make plans to mobilize airport and community resources in emergencies.
Summary
The new AEIS is a significant step forward in the protection of the travelling public at medium-sized airports, and completes the comprehensive emergency response system for airports across Canada. This approach exceeds the level of emergency response coverage in most peer states, such as the United States and Australia. The department will continue to monitor the implementation of AEIS at airports and will review the full range of emergency response services again in three years.
June 2002
