The Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA)’s Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed 21 recommendations contained in the Canadian Airports Council (CAC)’s submission in response to a review of the Canada Transportation Act that is currently underway under the leadership of the Hon. David Emerson.

CAC submission recommendations:

• Restructure how screening of passengers and baggage is delivered in Canada to continue to ensure safe, secure Canadian skies but better meet international service standards.
• Reinvest federal aviation taxes, fees and charges into the air transportation system, such as through a fund for aviation infrastructure.
• Eliminate federal ownership of some airports’ land as exclusion with respect to federal infrastructure program eligibility in favour of more objective criteria, such as infrastructure and financial needs of airports.

Highlights from the OIAA’s formal letter of support to the Canada Transportation Act Secretariat:

• Effective and efficient security screening needs to be addressed in the short term, and certainly prior to 2017.
• Greater air liberalization, and the benefits that it will offer the travelling public through potentially more air service to more destinations and at a lower cost, is vital to the industry.
• Airports should be integrated into local transportation systems, and as vital partners with government, airlines, tourism and business interests, with policies aligned to stimulate air travel to, from and within Canada.

Quotations:

“We feel very strongly that the noted recommendations are vital to our future success, and the overall competitiveness of the aviation sector in Canada”, said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Airports are strong economic generators in their local economies, and also contribute significantly to the health of the national economy. We look forward to the Review’s conclusions, and final recommendations that position Canada’s airports as stronger global competitors and greater contributors to national prosperity.

Resources

CAC Press Release

CAC Submission to the Canada Transportation Act Review: Connecting Canada: An Aviation Policy Agenda for Global Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity

About the Ottawa International Airport Authority

OIAA manages, operates and develops airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region, generating more than $2.2 billion annually in total economic activity in Ottawa and Gatineau.

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For more information:
Krista Kealey
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
613-248-2050