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WestJet CEO calls for federal review of how airports, aviation infrastructure are funded in Canada

Click to play video: 'WestJet, Air Canada to charge more for checked baggage'
WestJet, Air Canada to charge more for checked baggage
WATCH ABOVE: (March 2, 2024): Prepare to pay more if you're an airline traveller, especially if you don't travel light. York University Economics Professor Fred Lazar discusses the move by Air Canada and WestJet to hike their checked baggage fee – Mar 2, 2024

The CEO of WestJet Airlines says he is calling for a full federal government review of the way airports and aviation infrastructure in Canada are funded.

Alexis von Hoensbroech told a Calgary business audience Wednesday that Canada’s “user pay” model for aviation infrastructure needs rethinking in light of ongoing public concerns about air travel affordability.

Canada’s major airports are all operated on federally owned lands by private, not-for-profit organizations.

Click to play video: 'Flier frustrated with WestJet after cancellation leads to higher costs'
Flier frustrated with WestJet after cancellation leads to higher costs

They must pay rent to the federal government based on a proportion of their revenues.

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Airports earn money by charging fees to airlines, to businesses like restaurants and to passengers through ticket surcharges such as “airport improvement fees.”

Von Hoensbroech says these charges drive up the cost of flying in Canada. He says WestJet believes the federal government should stop collecting airport rents in order to make travel more affordable.

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