"Ryan Dorosh" wrote in message
...
Canada has a private, non profit ATC called NavCanada. So far it's worked
out quite well going from public to private.

To me the question is worked out quite well for whom, exactly? The Canadian
government? The Canadian air transport industry? NavCanada's management?

NavCanada has some of the best
equipment and software in the world now. Way ahead of the rest of the
world
for technology.

LOL! Way ahead of the rest of the world on technology. Specifically, what
technology? Terminal? Weather? Radar systems? GPS? The single American
State of California alone has more air traffic than all of Canada's
provinces combined. No offense, but Canada's miniscule air traffic load
isn't even in the same league as the volume and complexity that flies
through the US system.

Effective August 1, 2003, NavCanada will be increasing air navigation
service fees (read ATC user fees) by 6.9 %. NavCanada claims that this 6.9%
hike is due to a revenue shortfall tied to a 10.5 % decrease in traffic
during FY 2002. Third quarter revenues totalled C$225 million and operating
expenses C$183 million. Prior to its filing for bankruptcy protection
earlier this year in 2003, Air Canada Airlines and her affiliates owed
NavCanada C$45 million in unpaid ATC user fees. NavCanada claims that the
new rates will be, on average, "only" 4% higher than the old pricing
structure. Meanwhile, Air Canada calls the August 1st ATC user fees
increase "completely out of touch with industry realities" and said it would
pursue "any available option to reverse the decision".

It sounds to me like NavCanada is running the remaining major national
commercial user right on out of the airline business.

Sometimes, I think having ATC in the hands of a non profit
group is the best way to go. Less hurdles to make beneficial changes.


You base this opinion on NavCanada, Britain's NATS, Switzerland's SkyGuard,
or what? And what "beneficial" changes do you refer to? Air Canada
certainly doesn't seem too happy...

Chip, ZTL