Working Group on Recovery of the Air Transportation Sector Primary Conclusions

Working Group on Recovery of the Air Transportation Sector Primary Conclusions The onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic in early 2020 required governments around the world to introduce extraordinary measures to slow the spread of the disease, protect the public and manage demands on health care systems. [...] The Working Group on Recovery of the Air Transportation Sector has: - Assembled a comprehensive inventory of the support programs and relief measures introduced by federal, provincial and territorial governments to assist the air transportation sector through the unprecedented financial and operational hardships associated with the travel and public health restrictions necessary to manage the pand. [...] • The economic support and regulatory relief programs introduced by federal, provincial and territorial governments have been effective in helping to: o Support the viability of many operators and reduce losses, o Prevent permanent loss of key assets, o Support inter-regional connectivity, o Ensure refunds were given to passengers for travel cancelled due to the pandemic, and o Preserve critical a. [...] • While modest growth in air transportation activity in Canada was seen through the summer and early fall of 2021, the timeframe for a return to pre-pandemic levels remains uncertain and assets critical to recovery of the sector remain at risk. [...] • Close collaboration between federal, provincial and territorial governments must continue to support full recovery of the sector through: o Monitoring the pace of recovery and the state and concerns of the air transportation sector within all regions of Canada.