Analysis

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Aircraft take-offs and landings at Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers and flight service stations decreased (-2.8%) in March 2009 compared with March 2008. These 93 airports reported 489,549 movements in March 2009 compared with 503,857 movements at 95 airports in March 2008.

Itinerant movements (flights from one airport to another) fell 2.9% (-10,014 movements) in March 2009 compared with the same month a year earlier.

Local movements (flights that remain in the vicinity of the airport) declined by 2.7% (-4,294 movements) in March 2009 over the previous year.

Airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers

The 41 Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers reported 394,434 aircraft take-offs and landings in March down 1.9% (-7,721 movements) compared with March 2008. Year-over-year increases in aircraft movements were reported by 13 of these airports in March 2009. The variations ranged from an increase of 66.5% at Montréal/St-Hubert, Quebec to a decline of 53.6% at Gander International, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Itinerant movements (flights from one airport to another) declined 2.5% (-6,956 movements) in March 2009 compared with the same month a year earlier. Year-over-year variations in itinerant movements ranged from a 65.0% increase (+3,377 movements) at Montréal/St-Hubert, Quebec to a decline of 27.4% (-1,822 movements) at Calgary/Springbank, Alberta.

Local movements (flights that remain in the vicinity of the airport) fell by 765 movements (-0.6%) in March 2009 compared with March 2008. Montréal/St-Hubert, Quebec recorded the largest gain in local movements, increasing by 4,700 movements (+67.5%) while Calgary/Springbank, Alberta reported the largest decline with 2,742 fewer movements (-26.1%) compared with the previous year.

The Air Traffic Control Tower at Sudbury, Ontario closed in June 2008 and re-opened as a Flight Service Station. Sudbury reported 2,627 movements in March 2008 compared with 2,962 movements reported for the Flight Service Station in March 2009, up 12.8%.

The Flight Service Station at Fort McMurray, Alberta closed effective October 2008 and re-opened as an Air Traffic Control Tower. Fort McMurray reported 5,346 movements in March 2008 compared with 4,040 movements reported for the Air Traffic Control Tower in March 2009, down 24.4%.

The Air Traffic Control Tower at Montréal/Mirabel International, Quebec closed in December 2008 and re-opened as a Flight Service Station. Montréal/Mirabel International reported 2,246 movements in March 2008 compared with 2,088 movements reported for the Flight Service Station in March 2009, down 7.0%.

Airports with NAV CANADA flight service stations

The 52 Canadian airports with NAV CANADA flight service stations reported 95,115 aircraft take-offs and landings in March down 6.5% (-6,587 movements) compared with March 2008. Year-over-year increases in aircraft movements were reported by 18 of these airports in March 2009. The variations ranged from an 85.0% increase (+4,365 movements) at Fredericton International, New Brunswick to a decline of 44.7% (-580 movements) at Norman Wells, Northwest Territories.

Itinerant movements (flights from one airport to another) decreased by 4.4% (-3,058 movements) in March 2009 compared with the same month a year earlier. Year-over-year variations in itinerant movements ranged from an 89.4% increase (+2,469 movements) Fredericton International, New Brunswick to a decline of 41.2% (-489 movements) at Norman Wells, Northwest Territories.

Local movements (flights that remain in the vicinity of the airport) recorded in March 2009 decreased by 11.2% (-3,529 movements) compared with the same month a year earlier. Fredericton International, New Brunswick recorded the largest gain in local movements, increasing by 1,896 movements (+79.8%) compared with March 2008. Red Deer Regional, Alberta recorded the largest decline in local movements, dropping 924 movements (-44.8%) compared with March 2008.