Canada gets world's first research facility devoted to air travel

Yesterday, 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.

Testing solutions to real-world challenges

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.

"Canadians want safe, efficient, affordable, and comfortable air travel services," said the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport. "he 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."

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.

Quick facts

• In 2017, more than 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.