Time to Impose a Curfew at Ottawa International Airport

The Ottawa International Airport does not have a curfew. What this means is that aircraft are permitted to fly 24/7. Montreal has a curfew! Toronto has a curfew! Why doesn't Ottawa?

The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority (OMCIAA) argues that it "... has been able to effectively manage noise in the absence of a curfew ...". This statement is both self-serving and false.

The noise complaint process established by the OMCIAA is quite frankly a joke. For example, there is supposed to be a Noise Management Committee, however, it does not exist. Only after receiving multiple complaints is the OMCIAA now considering "... recontructing the Noise Management Committee ... however no members have been determined as yet" (OMCIAA letter dated February 3, 2009).

When aircraft are found in violation of Transport Canada's own regulations, below is the type of satisfaction you will receive - "When we spoke, I mentioned to you that all aircraft movements must follow prescribed noise abatement procedures per Transport Canada regulations. Ultimately, however, the final flight path can be modified by the pilot or by Nav Canada depending on a variety of factors ... Safety is always the primary factor when these decisions are made". In other words, there is no satisfaction. If in doubt, throw a security blanket over the problem. The complaints process does not work! How many times does a citizen have to complain about noise before action is taken!

The City has a noise by-law however it defers all responsibility for aircraft noise to the federal government through the OMCIAA. Call 311 for example and they'll tell you that it's not their responsibility. In other words, I can't play loud music after 11pm but I can fly planes at all hours of the day or night - that's just stupid! So if it's not the City's responsibility, and the OMCIAA's noise complaint process is simply laughable, then it leaves citizens no choice but to come together and force a change. Oh, and by the way, the OMCIAA is not responsible for noise complaints involving small aircraft. Who is?

By the way, I am a regular traveller with the airlines. I have achieved Super Elite status with Air Canada four years in a row. I travel primarily for work and my travel destinations include - other cities in Canada, the US, South America, Europe, and Africa. I have never once had to leave from/return to the Ottawa International Airport between midnight and 6:30am. There is no need for 24-hour travel.

For those interested, I do not live near the airport. I live outside of Manotick and outside of the Annoying Ottawa Influence Zone (AOIZ). Note: Despite having an Airport Operations Influence Zone (AOIZ), the Ottawa Airport continues to violate (with regularity) both the concept behind establishing the AOIZ and its spirit by flying aircraft anywhere it wants, at any time of the day or night.

To complain about airport noise please call the airport at: 613.248.2023. This is the OMCIAA's 24-hour noise complaints reporting service. Your complaints are logged and a list is kept. In addition to logging a complaint with the airport, call your local and federal politicians who sit on the Authority's board. Notably, it was only after "... a siginificant number of noise-related complaints" that Toronto and Montreal imposed a curfew.

If you would like to contact me, I can be reached via email at CurfewOttawaAirport@gmail.com. Also, follow me on Twitter at OttawaAirport.