The Vancouver Airport Authority and Calgary-based WestJet are applauding Premier Gordon Campbell’s announcement Sunday that the province will eliminate the aviation fuel tax in British Columbia for international commercial flights.
Gregg Saretsky, WestJet’s president and CEO said in release that the elimination of the tax would improve the competitiveness of B.C.’s aviation industry internationally.
He added that a new five-year airline incentive program – announced by the Vancouver Airport Authority on Sunday – will allow air carriers to add capacity to YVR without incurring additional landing and terminal fees.
WestJet said that its international presence in B.C. has grown substantially and that the tax relief and the new incentive program ensures that, with firm orders for an additional 45 aircraft over the next seven years, WestJet’s growth will continue.
“It is our belief that this news will create jobs and add millions of dollars of economic activity to the province,” said Saretsky. “It is these types of initiatives we encourage other jurisdictions across the country to follow so that all of Canada’s aviation hubs will become more competitive internationally.”
Larry Berg, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, said that fuel tax relief for airlines is an important strategy to support Canada’s Pacific Gateway. He also said that the five-year incentive program will increase routes and capacity at YVR.
“Not only do new air services and increased frequencies offer more options for travellers, expanded air service to and from YVR contributes substantially to British Columbia’s economy.”
The announcements were made on the first day of the three-day World Route Development Forum in Vancouver. The 2,000 attendees of the event are meeting to develop new air services and examine existing air travel routes.
The Vancouver Airport Authority led the bid to host the event in Vancouver, which is the first North American city to host it.