August 31, 2024

We strongly believe that the Government of Canada should help maintain the competitiveness of domestic carriers and ensure that they continue to play a vital role in providing all Canadians with world-class, affordable access to regional, national and international travel options, and in promoting regional economic development. [...] Third-party fees are keeping the cost of air travel high as public policy does not reflect the modern reality that affordable air travel is core to the success of tourism. [...] Estimates from the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) reveal that, together, the cost of third-party fees and charges on an average domestic Canadian airfare can range from $130 to $160; the equivalent charges in the United States are less than half these amounts, and all taxes and fees collected in the US are re-invested in relevant infrastructure. [...] By mitigating the high cost of third-party fees and ensuring that government revenues generated by the air travel are reinvested back into the industry in a meaningful way, the Government of Canada can safeguard the affordability of air travel, promote balanced regional development and pave the way for innovative solutions to enhance travel options for a wide number of Canadian and international t. [...] The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec 4.