Edmonton Debuts iTEC SkyNex to Revolutionize Canadian Air Traffic Control

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Edmonton International Airport will become the first Canadian site to deploy NAV Canada’s next-generation iTEC SkyNex air traffic control system. Over the next five years, this $1 billion rollout will modernize flight operations, reduce fuel consumption, minimize delays and enhance safety across Canadian airspace.

Key Takeaways

Edmonton is the inaugural Canadian location for iTEC SkyNex deployment.
NAV Canada will invest approximately $1 billion over five years.
The project is part of a transatlantic collaboration with seven European nations.
Trajectory-based operations promise optimized routes, fewer delays and lower emissions.
Facility upgrades include adding two floors to the NAV Canada building at YEG.

ITEC SkyNex: A New Era In Air Traffic Control

iTEC SkyNex introduces trajectory-based operations (TBO) to air traffic management, shifting from reactive, radar-based control to a proactive, data-driven approach. Similar to upgrading from static road maps to live navigation apps, TBO ingests real-time weather, traffic and aircraft performance data to plan optimized flight paths.

NAV Canada President and CEO Mark Cooper explained that this “strategic” shift allows controllers and airlines to anticipate the entire flight trajectory, improving predictability and unlocking new efficiencies in both domestic and international corridors.

Implementation Plan And Timeline

NAV Canada’s five-year rollout will proceed in phases:

Facility Expansion: Two additional floors at the Edmonton International Airport control centre.
System Integration: Gradual migration of control positions to iTEC SkyNex consoles.
Testing & Certification: Live trials with partner airlines and stakeholder feedback.
National Deployment: Phased launch at other major Canadian control centres.

Strategic Collaboration With Europe

Edmonton’s iTEC SkyNex deployment is part of the iTEC Alliance, which includes Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Spain, Poland and Norway. By sharing best practices and jointly developing software updates, members aim to harmonize air traffic management across the North Atlantic and beyond.

Benefits For Airlines, Passengers, And The Environment

Optimized routings reduce fuel burn and operating costs.
Fewer delays and more direct flights enhance passenger experience.
Improved predictability lowers congestion and holding patterns.
Reduced emissions support Canada’s sustainability targets.

Government And Local Support

Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland praised NAV Canada’s investment, noting that advanced traffic management is vital as demand for air travel grows. Edmonton Centre MP Eleanor Olszewski hailed the city’s leadership and expertise, emphasizing the economic and technological boost that comes with hosting Canada’s first iTEC SkyNex centre.