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Category: National Airlines Council of Canada

  • Ready for Takeoff: National Airlines Council of Canada releases landmark report revealing the economic potential of making air travel more affordable

    February 23, 2026 – Ottawa, ON – The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), which represents Canada’s largest passenger air carriers  (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), today published a landmark peer-reviewed study, conducted by Oxera Consulting, which finds that Canada could boost its GDP by up to $15 billion, create up to 150,000 jobs, and unlock trade and productivity benefits, all while improving the affordability of air travel, by reducing the third party taxes, fees, charges and regulations currently imposed on air travel.

    “Ready for takeoff: the economic case for reducing aviation costs in Canada,” outlines concrete actions the Government of Canada can take to stimulate the air travel sector in Canada. The ecosystem is currently subject to a wide range of third-party fees, charges and taxes, but the study finds that reducing these fees can unlock tremendous economic potential and contribute to achieving national objectives including trade diversification.

    “In a country as vast as Canada, air travel is not a luxury. It is a crucial mode of transport for people and goods, and Canadians expect an air travel system that supports economic growth and that is affordable,” said Jeff Morrison, President and CEO of NACC. “This report illustrates that improving the affordability of air travel through a reduction in taxes, charges and fees will stimulate the market, which in turn will have spinoff benefits across the economy.”

    Other countries that share similarities with Canada, including Sweden, have recently moved to eliminate some of these taxes and fees, in order to improve competitiveness and stimulate their air travel markets. The study examined four scenarios of reductions in taxes, charges and fees, including: reversing recent fee increases and reinvesting airport rents, aligning fee levels with Sweden or the United States all the way up to a complete removal of all taxes, charges and fees.

    Key results include:

    • Aligning taxes, charges and fees with levels in Sweden means a family of four travelling on a return trip from Toronto to Vancouver would pay around $251 less for their plane tickets. A family of four travelling from Edmonton to Montreal on a return trip would save $282.
    • This would result in up to $9 billion in additional GDP and create 86,000 jobs from increased air travel. Reducing fees to this level could also increase the value of trade by $106 billion and increase GDP by $17 billion through enhanced productivity.
    • Matching the level of taxes, charges and fees with those in the US would generate $11 billion in increased GDP, creating 112,000 jobs.
    • Removing all taxes, charges and fees would generate $15 billion in additional GDP while creating 151,000 jobs. This would also increase trade by over $160 billion and generate $30 billion in GDP from enhanced productivity.

    While some might fear that lifting fees would reduce tax revenues that the federal government relies on, today’s report finds that unlocking more affordable air travel in our country could result in an increase in total tax revenue between $2 and $10 billion, by spurring more economic activity. The benefit to both consumers and the government is clear.

    NACC is not the first to outline the clear need for change. In June 2025, the Competition Bureau of Canada acknowledged the impact of the current “user pay” model and proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). In November 2025, the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tabled a report finding that high costs, excessive federal fees, and regulatory hurdles are among the core challenges undermining affordability and competition in Canadian aviation, and calling for a government review.

    Today’s news lays out the benefits that are within reach for Canadians if the federal government were to modernize the current framework of fees, charges, taxes, and regulations such as the APPR. The data contained within this detailed publication can be used by policy makers to advance positive change.

    “It has been made abundantly clear that a better system is within reach. As Canada looks to strengthen its own economy and reinforce our ties with trading partners around the world, the time to act on air travel fees is now,” concluded Morrison.

    The report can be found here.

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable, accessible and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  In 2024, air transportation contributed an estimated 3.8% of Canada’s GDP, and supported 809,000 jobs in Canada.

  • National Airlines Council of Canada Releases Shared Accountability Report

    Ottawa, ON, May 11, 2023 – The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), today released a report presenting concrete actions to implement a system of shared accountability to the civil aviation system, with the goal of further improving the passenger travel experience.

    Prepared in collaboration with the law firm YYZLaw, the report, entitled “Enhanced Accountability, Shared Responsibility and Services Standards in Canada’s Air Travel Ecosystem”, offers specific recommendations to the Government of Canada to achieve its stated goal of improving air travel and transparency for passengers.

    Canada already has one of safest and most efficient air transport systems in the world.  To further improve upon this, it is necessary to implement a model of shared accountability for the provision of air travel services, whereby all entities in the air travel ecosystem are held accountable through publicly reported service standards and public communications.

    “Both the Minister of Transport and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities recently endorsed the concept of shared accountability and we share this view,” said Jeff Morrison, President and CEO of NACC.  “The recommendations in this report come at an opportune time, and we look forward to ensuring that a national shared accountability framework is implemented.”

    The report contains several recommendations, including:

    • Implementing prescriptive regulations to create a true shared accountability and responsibility model in Canada’s aviation ecosystem;
    • Ensuring service standards and capacity regulations are imposed on all entities in the aviation ecosystem, under the Canada Transportation Act ;
    • Requiring all entities to communicate the reasons behind service disruptions in real time;
    • Allowing passengers to be entitled to compensation if service standards are not met by an entity within the aviation ecosystem;
    • Granting clear powers to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to conduct compliance audits of entities within the aviation ecosystem’s adherence to service standards; and,
    • Updating data collection requirements under the Transportation Information Regulations, to require performance data from all entities within the aviation ecosystem who play a role in such activities.

    “Canadians have made clear to the federal government that they expect a more reliable and transparent air travel experience.  Implementing a shared accountability framework is a necessary step to achieve that,” said Morrison. “As the federal government continues to pursue efforts to strengthen the overall air travel system, NACC calls on the federal government to incorporate the findings of this report into future reforms.”

    The report can be found at https://airlinecouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Shared-Accountability-Report_May-2023_EN-1.pdf

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable, accessible and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • Canada’s airlines respond to TRAN committee report

    Ottawa, ON, February 28, 2023 – Jeff Morrison, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), issued the following statement regarding the recent release of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities (TRAN) report entitled “Enhancing the Efficient, Affordable Operation of Canada’s Airports”:

    “Overall, this report is good news for the aviation industry, and contains several important recommendations that will strengthen Canadian air travel and lead to a more competitive and sustainable system for years to come.

    “Last spring, NACC appeared before the TRAN committee calling for the federal government to review, with industry input, all third-party fees and charges imposed on Canadian airlines and travellers. The end goal should be that taxes and fees imposed on industry either directly related to services for passengers or otherwise be reinvested into the air travel system.

    “NACC is pleased to see this recommendation included in the report, in addition to recommendations to reduce administrative delays in securing necessary clearances for all staff in airports and airlines, and a need to invest in technological solutions to improve and expedite the traveller journey.

    “It is critical that the Canadian airline industry remains competitive globally now and for decades to come and that travellers have confidence that their journey is predictable, timely and enjoyable, with clear service standards across the ecosystem.

    “The importance of a strong and thriving commercial aviation sector to Canada’s overall economic recovery cannot be overstated, and NACC looks forward to the implementation of the report recommendations by the federal government.”

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable, accessible and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • National Post – Airlines push back against incoming passenger refund requirements

    Web News • 15 August 2022

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  • Canada’s Major Airlines Respond to Exemption Request made by Flair Airlines

    Apr 19, 2022 • News Releases

    OTTAWA, April 19, 2022 – Suzanne Acton-Gervais, Interim President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet) and John McKenna, President and CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada, which represents Canadian carriers of all categories and flight training organizations, as well as aviation industry product and service suppliers, jointly issued the following statement concerning the exemption request from Flair Airlines to meet the requirements of Canadian ownership under the Canada Transportation Act:

    “The competitiveness and stability of Canada’s aviation industry relies on a number of factors – chief among them, the application of statutes and regulations that give Canadian travelers confidence they are receiving service from domestic carriers that have demonstrably proven their Canadian ownership and investment. It is entirely reasonable for Canadians to expect companies to comply with the clear and longstanding rules of the Canada Transportation Act.

    It is with this basic principle in mind that Canada’s airlines are calling on the Government of Canada to reject Flair Airlines’ request for an exemption under the Act.  If granted, this unprecedented request would allow Flair to continue operating outside the bounds of existing Canadian law, setting a troubling precedent while also threatening consumer confidence in the sector, at a time when the travel industry is working hard to provide a strong and sustainable future for air travel for Canadians.

    The Canada Transportation Act maintains important benchmarks for the reliable, longstanding operation and growth of the aviation sector within the country.  In Canada, travelers have access to diversified, competitive commercial air travel options.  Airlines have worked diligently for decades to ensure the sector remains resilient and offers significantly increased choice for customers, while air fares in Canada have steadily dropped in the last ten years.

    By failing to comply with basic, longstanding Canadian ownership and control rules, Flair places considerable uncertainty on the shoulders of travelers, potentially leaving them stranded without a backstop should Flair fail to abide by Canadian ownership and control requirements, as ordered by the Canadian Transportation Agency.

    Adherence to existing laws regarding ownership and control-in-fact of major companies that are part of Canada’s critical infrastructure (including airlines) is an important principle to uphold.  These laws ensure that companies make a firm commitment to Canada, protecting the industry’s viability, incentivizing growth and new routes, allowing for expansion and building strong networks across the country and globally that collectively make up a strong ecosystem. Domestic control and ownership is not just a “nice to have”, it is a necessary underpinning of the system, and should be defended.  It ensures that there is fundamental fairness and protects against one diluted or foreign owned business causing harm to the competitiveness of the whole industry.

    At a time when traveler confidence is reviving, and the entire tourism industry is edging toward the beginnings of a post-COVID recovery, it is in the public interest for the Minister of Transport to dismiss this exemption request and require Flair to meet their statutory obligations as prescribed by the Canadian Transportation Agency.  Allowing Flair’s continued operation outside of longstanding, clear laws would set a dangerous precedent for those in aviation, business, and most importantly, Canadian consumers.  The Government of Canada has an obligation to protect Canadians and uphold its own laws, and the best way it can do this is by ensuring all carriers comply with the applicable statutory obligations.

    NACC and ATAC member airlines stand ready to work with the Minister of Transport to mitigate the impacts on travellers and workers, including by offering alternatives and options as a result of the Canadian Transportation Agency’s investigation into Flair, or the Government of Canada’s denial of this exemption request.  We commit to working with the government to ensure that the public interest remains top of mind for law-abiding air carriers.”

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Prepandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

    About the Air Transport Association of Canada

    The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) serves as Canada’s national trade association for the commercial aviation representing Canadian carriers of all categories and flight training organizations, as well as aviation industry product and service supplier.  ATAC is recognized as a strong advocacy organization that successfully supports its members in their pursuit of a safe, world-class and sustainable Canadian air transport industry.

  • Canada’s Major Airlines Welcome Federal Government’s Decision to End Pre-Departure Testing for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

    Ottawa, March 17, 2022 – Suzanne Acton-Gervais, Interim President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), issued the following statement today concerning the Government of Canada’s announcement that it will remove pre-departure testing requirements for vaccinated travellers to Canada:

    “The National Airlines Council of Canada welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of Canada that sees the elimination of pre departure testing for vaccinated travellers as of April 1st, 2022, when Canadian families, business travellers, and tourists visiting our country will be able to travel with greater certainty and convenience.

    Today’s announcement will enable the aviation industry, which represents a major segment of the Canadian economy, to continue to take genuine steps toward recovery. Supporting over half a million direct and indirect jobs, aviation’s revitalization will help stimulate the broader recovery of Canada’s economy.

    Canadian airlines have been among the many voices calling for updated travel guidance and protocols, guided by scientific evidence.  We have heard from our passengers how their travel decisions have been impacted by the costs and uncertainties associated with past testing protocols.

    Canada’s major airlines will continue to work with the Government of Canada to keep air travel safe for travellers, workers and for Canadian families.  We are ready to welcome travellers back to the skies, and back to the connected way of life that matters to all of us.”

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • Canada’s Major Airlines Respond to New Rules Concerning International Travel

    Temporary changes introduced due to Omicron variant will need to adjust based on science

    Ottawa, November 30, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet) issued the following statement concerning today’s announcement by the federal government of the reintroduction of travel and testing measures due to the Omicron variant:

    “Over the past several weeks the sector has implemented the federal government’s mandatory vaccination policy for aviation employees and passengers.  This represents the most effective way to continue to protect public health and overall recovery.  The aviation sector will move rapidly to implement the temporary measures announced today by the federal government.

    It is expected the new measures will be adjusted as further study is carried out on the variant, and that the impact on the relaunch of the travel and tourism sector will be manageable.  However, the economic uncertainty facing aviation cannot be overstated.  As the variant is reviewed by public health authorities, we expect the government will move forward through science and data based decision making, tied to clear metrics.

    As these new measures are implemented, Canada’s major carriers will maintain their ongoing support for vaccination campaigns, while continuing to invest heavily in the safe restart of travel and tourism in order to drive our national economic recovery in every region of the country.”

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • Major Airlines Acknowledge Government’s First Step Toward Elimination of PCR Pre-Departure Test for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

    Pre-departure testing must end for all fully vaccinated travellers regardless of nationality or duration of travel

    Nov 19, 2021

    Ottawa, November 19, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement that beginning November 30 the federal government will no longer require fully vaccinated Canadian travellers to take a PCR test before returning to Canada if they have been out of the country for less than 72 hours:

    “We are somewhat encouraged by today’s announcement.  PCR tests are expensive and unduly increase the cost of travel, in particular for families.  But, by only focussing on short trips and Canadian travellers, government has taken a piecemeal approach that is not justified nor based on science.  To our knowledge, no other country in the world has adopted such a narrow approach.

    As far back as May the federal government’s own COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommended the removal of pre-departure PCR testing for fully vaccinated passengers, recognizing that testing at both departure and arrival is excessive.

    The pre-departure testing regime was implemented well before vaccines entered widespread use and vaccination became a requirement to travel.  The pre-departure test is simply no longer justified for fully vaccinated travellers.

    It is not the duration of the trip or the nationality of the passenger that is relevant, but rather the vaccination status of the traveller that is key.  Today’s announcement will continue to create confusion for consumers.  What was needed was a clear one-time policy change.  We are therefore calling on the government to provide a clear timeline on when trips longer than 72 hours will no longer require a PCR test regardless of the travellers’ nationality.

    The NACC welcomes the recognition of additional World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccines, which supports the industry recovery.  Aviation is a global industry and we need to follow global practices concerning testing, and acceptance of all WHO approved vaccines.

    With aviation employees as well as travellers now required to be fully vaccinated, we are also looking to the government to address the following issues:

    • Remove the defacto quarantine requirements applied to children under 12. These requirements are inconsistent with policies adopted by other countries.
    • Convince the US government to change its inconsistent policy concerning air and land travel. The US does not require a COVID-19 pre-departure test for travellers driving into the US at a land crossing, but does require a pre-departure test for fully vaccinated air passengers arriving from Canada.  This confusing approach is not based on health policy, and simply encourages Canadians to drive across the border and fly from a US airport on US air carriers.  Air and land travellers should be treated the same – fully vaccinated air travellers should be exempt from pre-departure testing.”

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • Canada’s Major Airlines Welcome Re-Appointment of Hon. Omar Alghabra as Minister of Transport

    Work remains to ensure continued recovery, position the sector for future success

    Ottawa, October 26, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest national and international carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation and WestJet), issued the following statement in response to today’s re-appointment of the Honourable Omar Alghabra as Minister of Transport in the new federal Cabinet:

    “We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Alghabra and the new Cabinet.  Decisions made by the federal government in the coming weeks and months will continue to directly impact the future of Canadian aviation, our employees, and the communities we serve.

    We welcomed the government’s announcement last week concerning standardized proof of vaccination for travellers, as well as the removal of blanket travel advisories.  These are important developments for continued recovery.

    However with federal policy now requiring aviation employees and passengers to be fully vaccinated as of October 30, the government needs to end other measures implemented prior to the full vaccination mandate, such as mandatory PCR testing pre-departure for fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada.  In May the government’s own COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommended the removal of pre-departure PCR testing for fully vaccinated passengers, recognizing that testing at both departure and arrival is excessive.  Steps must also be taken to enable children under 12 to be exempt from de-facto home quarantine upon returning to Canada.

    As strong collaboration across government will be needed to ensure Canada’s aviation sector maximizes its economic, social and environmental sustainability potential, we also take this opportunity to congratulate the following Ministers who have been appointed or re-appointed to their roles:  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland; Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Dominic LeBlanc: Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault; Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser; Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino; Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly; Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Randy Boissonnault; Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos.

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.

  • Canada’s Major Airlines Welcome Federal Policy Requiring Mandatory Vaccination of Aviation Employees

    Ottawa, August 13, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet) released the following statement in response to today’s announcement by the federal government that employees in federally regulated industries, including aviation, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of October, and that new vaccination rules will apply for domestic air travel: 

    “Since the outset of the pandemic, Canada’s major airlines have been committed to protecting employee, passenger and public health.  As we review today’s announcement in detail to fully understand the obligations being placed on the sector, we remain committed to working with the federal government and our respective labour and employee groups as we proceed with implementation of the government’s new mandatory vaccination policy for airline employees.  We will also be seeking further details and clarifications from government concerning new vaccination requirements for domestic air travel.  

    As these new policies are implemented, Canada’s major carriers will maintain their ongoing support for vaccination campaigns, while continuing to invest heavily in the safe restart of travel and tourism in order to drive our national economic recovery in every region of the country.” 

    About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

    The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.