FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Airlines Council of Canada Responds to Budget 2025

Ottawa, ON, November 5, 2025 – 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 yesterday’s federal budget:

“Canada relies on a competitive, accessible, affordable, and sustainable air travel sector. NACC welcomes initiatives and investments announced in yesterday’s budget to upgrade the preclearance access regime and make strategic investments in Canada’s airport infrastructure. The new $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, for which airport infrastructure is eligible, will support the aviation industry’s integral role in our country’s supply chain resilience.

“We welcome the government’s announcement of its intention to consider negotiating lease extensions with airport authorities, enabling more economic development activities on airport lands, and examining the existing airport ground lease rent formulas. We look forward to collaborating with the government to ensure the proposed policies result in lower costs for passengers, thereby echoing the recent findings of the House of Commons Transport Committee’s report on our industry.

“NACC also believes the time has come to move forward with a digitization strategy for air travel in Canada, which would enhance security, reduce costs, and make the travel experience more efficient for travellers.

“To build on the momentum of yesterday’s budget, we will work with the federal government to prioritize and implement the critical recommendations outlined in our pre-budget submission, including a review of all government taxes and fees that continue to stifle affordability in Canada’s aviation sector. We will continue to work with the federal government to ensure that policies directed at the aviation ecosystem result in both cost savings for passengers, and an improved experience for passengers.

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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.

 

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