The NACC looks forward to continuing the positive and constructive relationship we have developed with Transport Canada and are eager to work with Transport Minister, Marc Garneau, especially as it relates to the upcoming Canada Transportation Act Review Report.

As a strong collaboration between various portfolios is essential to make it easier and more cost-competitive to fly, visit and do business in Canada, we also look forward to working with finance minister William Morneau; international trade minister Chrystia Freeland; foreign affairs minister Stephane Dion; small business and tourism minister Bardish Chagger; immigration, refugees and citizenship minister John McCallum; public safety and emergency preparedness minister Ralph Goodale; and environment and climate change minister Catherine McKenna.  

The NACC is encouraged by the Liberal government’s early signals that it recognizes the competitive disadvantages imposed on Canada’s airlines and the broader aviation sector resulting from various federal government policies.  Our member airlines are committed to working as constructive partners with the federal government to ensure a sustainable and competitive aviation sector.

The NACC member airlines are very pleased by the Liberal government’s commitment to remove the visa requirement for Mexican travellers. Such a move will allow Canada to maximize the benefits of the Canada-Mexico Air Transport Agreement, create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and boost investment and tourism between the two countries. We believe that Mexico is a good place to start optimizing the upcoming electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program and we encourage the government to also apply the eTA to other important partner economies.

On October 15, 2015, WestJet flew the first published Canadian Required Navigation Performance (RNP), a type of Performance Based Navigation (PBN), into Vancouver International Airport.   RNP is a new and efficient way to safely navigate aircraft using space-based satellite systems.  This new standard provides enhanced safety, efficiency and reduces the environmental impact of aviation. Air Canada followed a few days later testing the system using the Embraer-190 and Boeing-787.

Going forward, all eligible aircraft arriving at the dedicated runway at YVR may be permitted to use this new procedure to land.  This procedure uses continuous descent and reduced engine thrust to safely land the aircraft and will save an estimated 100 to 300 litres of fuel per flight and reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,500 tonnes per year.

PBN is an important component of Canada’s Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation and the NACC looks forward to working with NAV Canada to ensure its continued implementation at additional airports across the country.

On October 29th, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Thunder Bay International Airport and the National Airlines Council of Canada hosted a roundtable of business and community leaders to discuss air transportation’s role in driving jobs, tourism, and social and economic growth across the Thunder Bay region.

Ed Schmidtke, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thunder Bay International Airport, noted that participants clearly pointed out that while they’re doing everything they can to remain competitive, decisions like those made by Ontario to raise its aviation fuel tax are having a real negative impact.   

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President, Charla Robinson added that all parties should be working together to minimize costs and promote growth instead of adding to the existing challenge of rising operating costs.

Roundtable participants called on the Ontario government to show leadership in helping to foster vital, competitive air access across the province.

(Photo credit: Brent Linton, Chronicle Journal staff)

On November 16th, Executive Director Marc-André O’Rourke participated in a panel on the future of the air sector in Canada at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Workshop in Ottawa.   Other panelists included Nick Mulder, Global Public Affairs; Patrick Neville, Greater Toronto Airports Authority; and James Cherry, Aéroports de Montréal.

Mr. O’Rourke made the case that despite our aviation sector’s promising trajectory, we still have work to do when it comes to being able to be more competitive. We need to unleash the full potential of our world-class aviation sector and start recognizing it as the spark plug that ignites our economy, trade and tourism.

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