Series consists of records relating to the establishment and maintenance of airports. The series includes central registry files, airport registers and an airport construction manual.
Canada. Transport Canada. Airports Group : The first Air Board was appointed in 1919 and administered both military and civilian aviation. With the proclamation of the Department of National Defence on 1 January 1923, however, the Air Board ceased to exist and all civil positions were abolished, with civil aviation falling under military administration. In 1936, the Civil Aviation Division was transferred from Defence to Department of Transport's Air Services. The Civil Aviation Division was responsible for the administration of the Air Regulations, the location, equipment and maintenance of airways and civil government aerodromes, and the oversight of flying clubs. One of the three divisions was the Airways and Airports Division. With its headquarters in Ottawa and district offices in Montreal and Regina, the Airways and Airports Division was mandated to inspect airports and seaplane bases, license scheduled air transport operations, construct and maintain airports, and test radio range beacons. As well, it carried out Air Mail services. In the early 1960s, there were two divisions responsible for airports in Canada: the Airport Development Division and the Airport and Property Management Division. Several other redesignations have occurred over the years; the last, in 1985, established the Airports Group to ensure the provision of civil airport facilities and services in Canada consistent with market demands and government objectives, including safety and national emergency preparedness objectives. In 1995/1996*, the Airports Group was disbanded and two directorates (Airports and Airport Lease Review) were formed within the Programs and Divestitures Business line and the Aerodrome Safety within the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Safety and Security business line. *Departmental Performance Reports reflect that the change probably happened in 1997, not 95/96.
