Canadian Airports Council Newsletter - April 2016
 In This Issue
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Supplemental Funding for CATSA Confirmed, Small NAS Airport Funding Still Unclear
Daniel-Robert Gooch
 
FROM THE PRESIDENT

In a win for Canada's airports, the federal government confirmed that it will allocate $29 million in additional spending in 2016 for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).  

The Canadian Airports Association (CAC) asked for this action in our pre-budget written submission and in our appearance as a witness in front of the Standing Committee on Finance.

While the federal budget tabled on March 22 did not include this commitment specifically, the funding was confirmed by the Minister's office shortly after the budget's release, citing the reason as:

"To maintain CATSA service levels over the next year, to maintain Canada's competitive edge in retaining in-transit passenger traffic and to address additional growth in passenger volumes, while a longer-term approach is prepared."

From our point of view, its reasons for the additional funding are exactly on point - recognizing that this is a necessary stop-gap, with a commitment to develop an long-term solution.

The second recommendation in the CAC pre-budget submission was to allow small National Airports System (NAS) airports to access infrastructure funding that they have been excluded from, such as Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) and Building Canada.

Unfortunately it is still unclear if there will be a resolution to the funding challenge for six small NAS airports.  While there was nothing explicitly indicated in the budget, the CAC is waiting for a definitive response on whether any avenues for funding have been found through ad hoc funding sources.
  


Daniel-Robert Gooch  

For a copy of the submission, click HERE
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Airport Screening Ranked as the #1  CTA Recommendation by CAC Member CEOs
A recent CAC survey asked member CEOs to indicate  their level of support (from strongly oppose to strongly support) for a number of key Canada Transportation Act (CTA) Review Report recommendations related to air transport, a national transportation framework and passenger rail. The survey findings will provide guidance to CAC in its consultations with government.
 
Respondents were also asked to rank the recommendations from most to least important.   Using that metric, airport screening was ranked as the most important,  followed by user-pay policies and the cost of air transport. National airport policy and domestic air carrier competition/ foreign ownership limits rounded out the third and fourth spot.
 
After that, Large Airport Committee (LAC)and Small Airport Committee (SAC) airports diverged somewhat.   Most notably, LAC airports ranked international air carrier competition as tied for third spot, while SAC airports ranked it as less important, in sixth spot.
 
15 airport CEOs - 36% of members -- completed all the questions (12 SAC/3 LAC). 
 
CTA Review Recommendations 
Combined
Ranking
LAC Ranking 
SAC
Ranking
Airport Security Screening: governance and performance
1
1
1
User pay policies and the cost of air transport
2
2
2
National airport policy: ownership and governance
3
3 
(tied)
3
Domestic air carrier competition and foreign ownership limits
4
4
4 
 (tied)
Global hub strategy
5
6
4 
(tied)
International air carrier competition and international air policy
6
3 
 ( tied)
5
National framework on transportation and logistics
7
5
7 
(tied)
Consumer protection of airline passengers
8
7
7 
 (tied)
World class sector regulation and certification
9
8
6
Passenger Rail
10
8
8



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Minister Garneau, Transport Canada Consult with CAC on CTA Review Report Recommendations

Hon. Marc Garneau
A full-day session in Ottawa with CAC and Transport Canada, which included an hour-long meeting with Minister Garneau,  was the first step in mapping out Canadian airports' priorities and positions on which of the 150 recommendations in the CTA Review report should be adopted to promote and protect the interests of Canada's airports and the communities they serve.

This meeting was the first of several that will take place during the consultation period, which will end this fall.  It is expected that the government will accept some, but not all of the recommendations in the Review.

Airport Duty Free Sales Up Over 20% in February

The Frontier Duty Free Association reports that according to CBSA, Canadian airports generated $34 million in  duty free sales in February 2016, an increase of over 20%  compared with 2015. Year-to-date, total sales are up 16.7%.

 
Billy Bishop Airport Launches New Advertising Campaign Starring its own Passengers

With a tagline of "It's My Airport," Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's (YTZ) new advertising campaign depicts real-life passengers recounting their travel experiences and providing the reasons why they choose to fly to/from Billy Bishop Airport. The passengers who participated in the eight week campaign were not paid and were not scripted.

YVR Breaks Record: Named #1 Airport in North America for Seven Years in a Row

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was named Best Airport in North America for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, breaking the record for consecutive wins.

Halifax Stanfield Rated Among Best Airports in the World

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) has been rated by passengers to be among the world's best airports by the Skytrax World Airport Awards. And airport staff made the Top 10 List in North America.

Ottawa Airport Back on the Podium with a Silver Medal

The Ottawa International Airport Authority is happy to announce the Ottawa International Airport's return to the podium in the Airport Service Quality customer service benchmarking program for 2015.
 
Billy Bishop Named one of North America's Best Airports

Bishop Toronto City Airport was named one of North America's best airports by Skytrax World Airport Awards, the premier international airport awards voted on by more than 13 million passengers worldwide. Billy Bishop Airport was ranked the ninth best regional airport on the continent.
 
Saskatoon International Airport Quality of Service Most Improved in North America

Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) is pleased to announce that it been awarded the Airport Council International (ACI)'s award for the Most Improved Airport in North America in 2015. The ASQ program is used to benchmark passenger satisfaction at airports worldwide.

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports. Our 48 members represent more than 100 Canadian airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most passenger service airports in every province and territory.

  

For more information:
Daniel-Robert Gooch
President
daniel.gooch@cacairports.ca
613-560-9302 x14  
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