Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Comité permanent des transports, de l'infrastructure et des collectivités

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 16, 2021 -

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities presented to the House of Commons a report entitled “Emerging from the Crisis: A Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Air Transport Sector.” The committee heard from 60 witnesses and received 8 briefs from stakeholders.

During its study, the committee examined how the significant decline in international and domestic air traffic since March 2020 has had a considerable impact on the revenues of airports, air carriers, airport service providers and aerospace companies. This unprecedented crisis has resulted in major upheavals in employment in the sector, with many employees being laid off either temporarily or permanently.

The report contains 31 recommendations to the Government of Canada to ensure the survival and recovery of the aviation sector.

“There is no doubt that the air transport sector is critical to Canada's economic recovery and to the connectivity of the entire country,” stated Vance Badawey, Chair of the committee. He added: “On behalf of the committee, I would like to express the members' appreciation to the witnesses who appeared and contributed their time, thoughts and expertise. With their assistance, the committee has prepared a series of recommendations aimed at maintaining the sector's competitiveness, protecting jobs and ensuring the health and safety of workers, passengers and the Canadian public.”

The report is available on the committee’s web page on the Parliament of Canada website.