The Ottawa International Airport Authority announced that effective July 1, 2008, it will reduce its general terminal fees by 5%.

The Ottawa Airport Authority recognizes that this is an industry in crisis, given the skyrocketing cost of fuel and the weakened economies in Canada and the U.S. As such, the Airport Authority is taking swift and decisive action to help strengthen the industry, in addition to looking at ways to further reduce rates and charges.

“This is not just an airline crisis, but one that impacts the entire industry and ultimately our communities” said Paul Benoit, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “We recognize the importance of doing our part and will be looking at ways to further reduce our fees over the next several months.”

“Air Canada salutes the Ottawa International Airport Authority and its President and CEO, Paul Benoit, for demonstrating leadership and foresight by voluntarily reducing its fees,” said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President Customer Experience and Chief Administrative Officer at Air Canada. “The Ottawa Airport Authority is setting a tremendous example by swiftly responding in a meaningful way that will help our industry meet the common challenges posed by the unprecedented rise in fuel prices. Hopefully, today's very welcome announcement will lead other industry participants, including the federal and provincial governments, to recognize the severity of the situation facing our industry and emulate the Authority's decisive action through similar measures. On behalf of Air Canada, I thank the Ottawa International Airport Authority for taking this important step.”

“We thank the Ottawa Airport Authority for this reduction in fees,” said Ken McKenzie, Executive Vice-President, Operations for WestJet. “With record fuel prices now having a significant impact on airlines around the world, the Ottawa Airport Authority has clearly taken a leadership position in recognizing a need to drive costs out of the system in light of record fuel prices. This fee reduction is timely news from Ottawa as other airport authorities set their 2009 rates in the coming weeks. We encourage these airports to follow Ottawa to do their part to ensure that air travel remains affordable for all Canadians.”

OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under a 60-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The OMCIAA’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region.

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