At the time the current classification system was developed, members were aware that the ability to accurately count aircraft was questionable. However, the errors in the counting methodologies for Towers have been corrected and we now have traffic counts that we believe are accurate at those units.
The Air Traffic Control Premium (ATCP) is directly tied to traffic movements. While traffic counting was being corrected over the last several years, CATCA ensured no units dropped in ATCP level. We could not accept units dropping in level with unreliable data and NAV Canada agreed. Over the same period, any unit with traffic counts resulting in higher ATCP levels was increased to those levels.
The result was that units have moved up, but not down for the last several years. This has skewed our classification system and created inequities in ATCP levels. Now that accurate traffic counts exist for the 2014 – 2016 period, ATCP premium levels will be adjusted to the correct levels. This will result in several Towers dropping in ATCP level for the first time since the current classification system was introduced. The effective date of the new ATCP levels will be January 1, 2018. Members can see the unit ATCP levels effective January 1, 2018 here. (You must be signed in to the website to view).
Members in units with ATCP levels that are dropping will be red circled for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2018. The classification system dictates a 2-year protection, however, for various reasons, this will be increased to three (3) years.
This is an extremely complicated subject that will raise a lot of questions within the membership and it is difficult to fully explain in a B&F. For more detailed information, please consult President Peter Duffey’s blog, or contact your unit manager or RVP.
Work continues on ACC traffic counting methodologies and until that work is completed, no ACC will drop in ATCP level. Note that there are no ACCs currently scheduled to increase in ATCP.
On behalf of the Executive Board,
Peter Duffey Doug Best
President Executive Vice President
Click here for the PDF.