Airport Rent - Canada’s airports pay nearly $300 million each year in rent to the federal government – a heavy financial burden for which Canada’s airports receive nothing in return.
Liberalized International Air Policy: Open Skies - Canada is a major trading nation, but in today’s environment, a liberalized international air regime is an essential requirement for Canada to take full advantage of the opportunities for trade in the global economy. Canada’s falls behind in this area.
Open Skies for Cargo - Canada has the potential to be a world player in air cargo but currently restrictive air regimes limit the ability for growth.
Airport Participation - Airports and the communities they serve have an important stake in the outcome of air service talks and airports should have the opportunity to be represented at bilateral air talks.
Border Services - The provision of border services is an important issue for Canada’s airports. Access to adequate border services is of paramount importance to the ability of airports and the communities they serve to take advantage of the international opportunities available to them for trade and tourism growth.
Aviation Security and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority - Canada’s aviation system today is at the forefront of the world in safety and security, with every aviation stakeholder playing an important role. As Canada's provider for passenger and baggage screening, CATSA has a direct impact on Canada's airports and the passenger experience.
Air Travellers Security Charge - The role of protecting Canada against terrorist attacks is the responsibility of government and, like policing; the costs should be borne by all Canadians. However, this is not the case today, as passengers are charged an Air Traveller’s Security Charge to pay for air travel security.
Free/Foreign Trade Zones - Accessible Free/Foreign Trade Zones are essential to the success of global trading hubs, but Canada's current Export Development Centre Program is not competitive.
Arrivals Duty Free - Allowing international travellers to purchase items duty free upon arrival in Canada would repatriate sales from foreign duty free shops, increase revenue for Canadian businesses and increase tax revenue for the federal government.
Regulatory Burden - Airports today face a high-degree of regulatory burdens, such as new environmental and security regulations. But each new regulation adds to an airport’s costs. This cost burden places Canadian airports at a competitive disadvantage compared to other forms of transportation, as well as with other airports, as gateways to regional and international trade.
