Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

AKLAVIK (Jul 31/98) - Aklavik's community aerodrome radio station (CARS) is no longer on the chopping block even though its end was initially spelled out in Nav Canada's Northern service delivery change proposal released in late June.

Instead, Canada's not-for-profit provider of civil air navigation services, Nav Canada, will keep the facility open, according to Don Henderson, Nav Canada's manager of operational requirements and levels of service.

"The consultation process was what helped us decide to keep the Aklavik CARS open," he said at a meeting in Inuvik July 23 to hear views on Nav Canada's service delivery change proposal.

Both GNWT officials and Northern Air Transport Association officials had widely condemned the decision to close the Aklavik CARS during previous meetings Nav Canada held around the North during the past month.

"We are extremely pleased that Nav Canada has amended its proposal to maintain CARS service at Aklavik," said Bob Davies from the Northern Air Transport Association.

"It again proves to us that NAV Canada's consultation process is genuine and that they are interested in providing service which reflects our requirements."

The Aklavik CARS will continue to provide 65 hours a week of ground-based observations on runway conditions, local weather and altimeter readings for pilots destined for the Delta community.

If the CARS remains open, Aklavik will keep 1.5 person years of employment.