As the world’s second-largest country by landmass, but ranked 188th in population density, Canada depends on air travel as a crucial part of its transportation infrastructure.
BCA’s economists recently unpacked the issue of why flying costs more in Canada than elsewhere in their latest commentary, so podcast host Scott Crockatt invited former WestJet executive and airline industry expert Richard Bartrem onto the podcast to dive into the findings and hear some of Richard’s own insights.
Richard argues that while airline fares have fallen in half, government fees have increased more, and advocates for government intervention to reduce these costs, citing examples like land rent charged to airports by the federal government.
He also highlights the disparity between Canada’s approach and other countries that view aviation as an economic driver. The podcast wraps-up with a reflection on the advantages that would come with cheaper and more comprehensive air travel in Canada, including the boost of tourism dollars and the ‘GDP multiplier’ from a vast and efficient air freight network.
In this episode
- Richard’s background and journey to WestJet
- How to connect people in such a massive country
- What are you paying for in an airline ticket?
- The ‘GDP booster’ of affordable air travel
About The Brief
In this series, our host Scott Crockatt explore the big challenges we face as Albertans; celebrates stories of growth, innovation, and prosperity; and discovers bold ideas to make life better for Albertans.
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