February 23, 2026 – Regarding the NACC report Ready for Take-off:
Canada’s airports share the goal of improving affordability and strengthening connectivity for Canadians. However, it is overly simplistic to attribute airfare levels primarily to third-party fees. Ticket prices reflect a combination of airline pricing strategies, market competition, geography, federal charges, security and navigation costs, and the infrastructure required to safely operate airports across a vast country. A balanced analysis must examine the entire system.
Canada’s airports do strongly agree with our airline partners that air travel is not a luxury, that air transportation is an economic driver and that there is always room for improvement in every model.
Airport infrastructure is required for safe, secure and efficient operations and it needs to be properly funded. Canadian airports have operated on a fully self-sustaining user pay model since the 1990s makes up 12% to 14% of the cost a passenger pays if calculated on a base cost of $210.
“Our nation’s airport infrastructure is essential for trade, defence, business and tourism. Growing passenger demand requires ongoing investment in gates, terminals, airfields and technology,” noted CAC president Monette Pasher. “Some of our airports operate at the scale of small cities, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and economic activity in their regions.”
Canadian airports are business corporations that invest all revenue surpluses into their infrastructure. This model has enabled airports to be operated efficiently, with a low cost base in line with fully privatized airports elsewhere in the world.
We do agree with NACC that there is room for improvement to make air transportation a truer user pay model. Unlike rail, ferries and ports, Canadian airports currently pay $525-million a year in land-lease rent to the federal government. This rent should be reinvested in aviation infrastructure to support the system.
In the most recent federal budget, the government committed to exploring potential changes to the rent formula; airports are actively engaging with government and putting forward proposals for consideration. There is also room for more government investment in small- and mid-sized airports to advance connectivity in our vast country.
Our airports remain committed to working with government and industry partners, including NACC, to ensure Canada’s aviation system remains sustainable, competitive and positioned for growth.