MONTREAL – These are down times for the Montreal Canadiens, but in the skies they soar.
Five markers used to guide planes in and out of the region's airports have been renamed after Canadiens Hall of Famers: Maurice Richard (MORIC), Jean Beliveau (BLIVO), Doug Harvey (ARVIE), Guy Lafleur (LAFLR) and Bob Gainey (GAINY).
Most cities put local flavor in naming the markers or waypoints. But they must be five letters long and easy to pronounce. A waypoint is defined by longitude and latitude and helps lead pilots to the correct routes.
The names were suggested by air traffic controllers at the area control center Montreal. The area includes Quebec and parts of eastern Ontario and previously used generic names.
The new names were approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
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