Evaluation Summary - Program of payments to other government or international agencies for the operation and maintenance of airports, air navigation and airways facilities (also known as the Den-Ice Agreements Program)

 

Program

The Den-Ice Agreements is an international agreement with 23 countries (Contracting States) which contribute funds for air navigation facilities and services provided by Denmark and Iceland for civil aircraft crossing the North Atlantic. The Contracting States contribute funds based on the number of North Atlantic crossings by civil aircraft operating in their States. The funds are used to finance the costs of air traffic control, communications and meteorological services to international flights crossing the region. The Agreements are to support the safe and efficient operation of air navigation services. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations Agency, administers the Agreements. In 2013/2014, Canada contributed approximately $45,000 based on 25,500 crossings made by Canadian aircraft.

Evaluation

The current evaluation updates the 2009 evaluation by focusing on key information including Transport Canada’s financial data and information from ICAO’s reports. The evaluation covers the period from 2009 to 2014.

Evaluation Results

The evaluation provides the following findings and recommendations:

  • Canadian air traffic in the North Atlantic is on the rise. There is a continuing need for the Program.
  • Despite the growth in air traffic, the region covered by the Agreements has maintained a high level of aviation safety, with no fatal accident during the evaluation period. The Program achieved safety outcomes.
  • If Canada stops participating in the Agreements, Canada would no longer be part of international collaboration for aviation safety which would affect Canadian aircraft flying in the North Atlantic.
  • Transport Canada should track annual air traffic data in the North Atlantic and ensure that it pays its fair share of the Agreements based on the number of Canadian aircraft crossing the region. This information will also enable Transport Canada to estimate future expenditures.
  • Each year, the Program had unspent funds. Transport Canada should consider reducing the Program budget to ensure the budget fits the actual spending.