“State Of Our Skies: Canada” Targets Key Areas For Growth In Global Marketplace

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) has issued a new report that calls on the Canadian government to promote an environment that allows fair opportunities for Canadian airlines and aviation workers to compete and prevail in the international marketplace.

The report, “State of Our Skies: Canada,” proposes policy solutions to help create a better business environment and improve the overall state of the Canadian aviation industry.

“In today’s hypercompetitive international arena, Canada’s own government at times puts Canadian airlines and workers at a considerable disadvantage through various policies and regulations,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president. “In order for Canadian airlines and their employees to succeed and evolve domestically and in the global marketplace, the government must make significant reforms that favour Canadian aviation.”

“State of Our Skies: Canada” provides detailed policy recommendations that would strongly position Canadian airlines for success. ALPA calls for implementing revised policies and regulations in four major areas:

Protecting Canadian aviation jobs at home and in the international marketplace;
Enhancing the business environment in Canada;
Improving airline passengers’ experience at the airport; and
Strengthening international aviation safety regulations through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“There are a number of issues that negatively affect the Canadian aviation industry and must be addressed in order to provide our airlines and employees the opportunity to be successful on the international stage,” said Capt. Dan Adamus, ALPA Canada Board president. “The issues we face are complex and do not lend themselves to a single-source solution.
However, by working in collaboration with the government and key stakeholders, we can create a long-term strategy that focuses on the success of Canadian aviation while providing the flexibility to deal quickly with the ever-changing dynamics of the aviation industry.”
A key issue is how current policy allows for some airlines to use foreign pilots on a seasonal basis, putting Canadian flightcrew members at a competitive disadvantage in their own domestic market. “The government has a constructive role to play in adopting policies that enable Canadian airlines to compete globally while protecting airline employee jobs from foreign intrusion both domestically and in the international marketplace,” added Adamus.

The report extensively identifies current taxation programs that are detrimental to the industry’s growth, as well as rational aviation policies that will help foster Canadian airlines’ viability. ALPA asserts that Canada has adopted a “user pay” concept for its airline industry that puts all the fees, charges, taxes, and levies associated with airfares on the consumer. This is in stark contrast to other modes of transport such as passenger rail, ferry services, and roadways.

The report also details how streamlining security screening at Canada’s airports would help enhance aviation security while making air travel the most attractive option for travelers from all countries. In addition, it outlines how harmonizing Canada’s safety and security standards with those set by the ICAO will help elevate airline safety and security across the globe.

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