Canada’s regional and community airports are expecting massive fee increases and operational service reductions in 2021. Speaking on behalf of its member airports (of which there are more than 50 member representing over 190 airports nationwide), the Regional and Community Airports of Canada (RCAC) organisation blamed the failure of government and the airline industry to embrace a holistic approach to aviation support during the COVID-19 pandemic for leaving airports on the brink of financial collapse.

“For all Canadians outside of our large urban centres it is regional and local airports that connect the vast regions of our country for essential services, business and leisure travel,” said Brian Grant, Chair of the RCAC and CEO of Grande Prairie Airport in Alberta, Canada. “These smaller airports play a critical role in providing remote access and a quality of life that all Canadians expect. Movement of critical food supplies, emergency health care, essential cargo, emergency evacuation, forest fire fighting services are just a few examples of what regional and community airports deliver in addition to passenger air travel,” he continued.

He also alluded to the fact that the focus so far has tended to be on the major airlines and airports that connect Canadians in large urban areas to transborder and international destinations, which is frustrating for the country’s smaller, regional community airports.

While much of the last year has seen staffing cuts and reduced services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, airports have still been expected to meet fixed operational and safety costs dictated by government regulations along with new pandemic related costs to ensure the safety and confidence of travellers. “In 2021 these airports are estimating upwards of 45-6-% increases in rates and fees charged to airlines and passengers to continue operations as they exist today. In most cases reserve funds have been depleted and the only possible reductions left are closures of airport infrastructure,” added Grant.

RCAC is calling for various recommendations to ensure effective government support. These include: Stabilising the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy for airports to no less than 75% for 2021 to protect the employment capabilities of these airports for their employees. The organisation is also asking for financial assistance to cover fixed operating costs at 2019 levels and an increase of the Airport Capital Assistance Programe funding to $95 million annually. Plus, it wants to ensure that regional and community airports’ eligibility to all federal COVID-19 assistance programmes is offered regardless of an airport’s governance or ownership model.

Header image: Grande Prairie Airport, Canada (an RCAC member)

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