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Air transport allows thousands of Canadians to connect with families and explore other parts of the world. It is also at the core of Canada’s economic future. To remain a leader in the aerospace industry and keep air travel safe and enjoyable for all Canadians, we need to invest in leading-edge technologies.
Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced the launch of the new Centre for Air Travel Research.
The new centre, managed by the National Research Council of Canada, is the world’s first and only facility to study the air travel experience from start to finish; from check-in to terminal, to security, boarding, flying, and deplaning.
All businesses involved in the air travel experience, including airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and cabin equipment and systems suppliers need the right research platforms and technologies to develop and test their solutions to real-world challenges. The Centre for Air Travel Research provides the aerospace industry with a flexible, collaborative space to develop, integrate, and evaluate aerospace technologies, systems and materials.
With expertise across a wide range of disciplines, the National Research Council supports the aerospace industry in tackling various air travel challenges. Located next to the Ottawa International Airport, this unique facility will allow companies to evaluate a passenger’s complete air travel experience to improve safety, efficiency and comfort for Canadian travellers and visitors.
“Canadians want safe, efficient, affordable, and comfortable air travel services,” said Garneau. “The National Research Council of Canada’s Centre for Air Travel Research — a research and development facility — will benefit travellers, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers from around the world.”
“Our government is working to make sure that the Canadian aerospace industry is in the best possible position to meet customers’ needs and remain competitive,” said Minister Bains. “By launching the world’s first and only centre dedicated to improving customers’ air travel experience, Canada is demonstrating that it’s at the leading edge of innovation.”
“Using a holistic approach, our simulator draws from our team’s diverse knowledge base in areas like environmental controls, vibration, avionics, and human factors to help improve passenger comfort, safety and enroute efficiency,” said Iain Stewart, president of the National Research Council of Canada. “We are proud to be investing in technology platforms that will be critical for the long-term success of the aerospace industry.”
Quick Facts
- In 2017, over 140 million passengers travelled through Canadian airports.
- Last year the aerospace industry made a significant contribution to Canada’s economy through more than 188,000 direct and indirect quality jobs and over $24.5 billion in gross domestic product.
- The Centre for Air Travel Research has five laboratories that simulate and study a passenger’s complete air travel experience.
- In addition to offering a realistic recreation of an airport terminal, the Centre for Air Travel Research also boasts the Flexible Cabin Laboratory, complete with an A320 aircraft cabin that allows for the study of passenger flight experience, human vibration, and more.
