In response to the announcement today by the Canadian Government of its proposed Transportation Modernization Act, Air Canada provided the following statement:
Air Canada welcomes the Government’s desire to establish air passenger rights that are clear, consistent, transparent and fair for passengers and air carriers industry-wide.
We believe it is in the interest of all parties to create a more predictable and fair system that applies to all airlines operating in Canada, which is not currently the case. Air Canada looks forward to participating in the consultation process relating to the new regulations over the coming months.
The increase of foreign ownership limits to 49 per cent (from 25 per cent) should provide improved access to international investors and global capital markets for Air Canada.
The proposed amendments to the legislative provisions governing joint ventures in the airline industry should facilitate the opening up of new markets by Air Canada and its joint venture partners and accelerate projects that are currently under consideration.
Regarding the CATSA proposed amendments, we would have hoped that the Government would have addressed shortfalls in CATSA funding and other shortcomings in a more comprehensive fashion so as to improve the overall air traveller experience. In addition, we continue to encourage the Government to address aviation industry infrastructure, rates, taxes and charges.
Air Canada constantly strives for customer service excellence, and is committed to doing so within a cost competitive framework. The airline is recognized as the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. According to the 2015 Canadian Business Travel Survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, Air Canada was the preferred airline for more than 80 percent of frequent business travellers in Canada. In 2016, readers of Global Traveler magazine again voted Air Canada “Best Airline in North America,” and the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada “Best North American Airline for International Travel” and “Best North American Airline for Inflight Experience.”
