November 5, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON

 

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 today’s federal Budget:

“In a country as vast as Canada, an affordable, competitive, and sustainable air travel system is crucial to move people and goods domestically and internationally. Supportive policies and investments in air travel allow for affordability for passengers, greater connectivity, trade diversification, and growth opportunities.

Although the Budget acknowledged the current efforts underway to seek long-term operating concessions for Canada’s four largest airports, details remain sparse. NACC appreciates the federal government’s recognition of the need to proceed with this effort in the context of a “broad plan to build a more affordable, connected, and competitive air sector”, which would include clear rules impacting affordability, investments in air travel infrastructure, and adjustments to the ground rent formula. We will continue to promote additional principles to underpin these agreements – for instance, that all proceeds from concession agreements are reinvested solely in the air travel system, that airport service standards are maintained, that concession agreements add no new costs to the aviation system, and that there be independent economic regulation to control costs. NACC urges the federal government to consult with Canada’s airlines before concluding any final agreements.

Traveller modernization is also critical to ensure a more efficient and reliable passenger experience – technological outages with CBSA systems over the past number of years and a lack of a modernization strategy, including enhanced biometric tools, have put the Canadian air travel system at a competitive disadvantage. As such, NACC welcomes the $4.3 million being invested to develop a Traveller Biometrics Strategy and $192.5 million over 4 years in funding to the Canada Border Services Agency to improve the passenger experience. We look forward to working with the newly announced Special Advisor on Traveller Biometrics to develop this work.”

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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.

For media requests, please contact:
English requests: Josie Sabatino, jsabatino@summa.ca; 250-649-6856
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