Montréal, Canada (CWBN)_ The International Air Transport Association claimed that the Canadian government has failed to adequately support the industry over the course of the pandemic, which has led to stringent border restrictions.
The body claimed that it is both disappointed and frustrated over the fact and stressed the necessity of a life line.
Regional Vice-President of IATA (Americas), Peter Cerda, said that “The government has been stating for months that it is working on a vital support package for Canada’s airlines. It has failed to deliver thus far. Other governments see the need for financial support as an investment in economic recovery and have supported the industry with US$173 billion. Canada has some of the most draconian COVID-19 measures which have essentially shut down most air connectivity and put the sector in a tailspin.”
“In addition to financial support, the government needs a plan to re-connect Canadians internally and to the world. Quarantines kill demand for air travel and destroy jobs across the travel and tourism sector. COVID-19 testing for travel would keep Canadians safe and save jobs. This is an emergency. The same speed and determination that shut connectivity down needs to be applied to supporting testing as the safe option to re-establishing connectivity, bringing families together, and catalysing the economy,” he added.
As per IATA’s reports from 2019, the industry has contributed about CAD 51.4 billion (USD 40.16 billion) to the country’s economy. Given the reported CAD 16.7 billion (USD 13.1 billion) was attributed to foreign tourism, the overall contribution would reach about CAD 68.1 billion (USA 53.21 billion).
