The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) has released a new report analyzing the strength of regional airports as well as recommending measures to further develop their infrastructure. The report, prepared by InterVISTAS Consulting and commissioned by the CAC and entitled “Keeping Canada Connected: The Challenge of Regional Air Service and Federal Policy,” assessed 51 regional airports across Canada, finding that flight frequency at regional airports decreased 36% from 2014, while regional airports experienced a 10% drop in domestic connectivity and a 14% drop in overall connectivity from 2019 to 2024. The study goes on to identify Alberta, Manitoba and parts of Atlantic Canada as regions most affected by the changes. To counteract the downturn, the CAC report recommends increased investment in airport infrastructure as well as the establishment of an Essential Air Service program, citing that a single regional route can generate over 125 jobs and create an impact of $40 million in annual economic output. The United States has invested 8.5 times more per capita in airport infrastructure than Canada since 1995.
“Air service is the backbone of connectivity for many parts of Canada—essential to interprovincial trade, economic growth, and everyday life,” said CAC president Monette Pasher. “Regional air service is more than business, it connects Canadians to healthcare, education, trade and economic opportunities, and we need to work together to create the framework of support that is required to build our nation and connect Canadians in all corners of our country.”
“In many parts of the country, air travel isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” added Pasher. “It’s the fastest, safest, and often the only way to connect people, goods, and services. This is about economic resilience and national unity. By working together with the government, we can reverse this trend. The question isn’t whether we can afford to support regional air service, it’s whether we can afford not to. A connected Canada is a competitive, equitable, and united Canada.”
