Estimated reading time 4 minutes, seconds.
Aviation associations from across the country have joined forces to create the Canadian Aviation Associations Forum (CAAF). Citing a need to develop a new strategic framework to promote aviation in Canada, the CAAF has pledged to work with the federal government to strengthen the industry.
“Aviation associations are uniquely positioned to have their fingers on the pulse of the issues that need to be addressed across the country,” said George Petsikas, president of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC). “Together, we play an essential role in ensuring Canada’s air services network is effective and can facilitate national economic activity and commerce.”
The forum’s initiatives include the promotion of a streamlined regulatory amendment process and further implementation of performance-based regulations that benefit the Canadian aviation industry and the travelling public.
“We’re going to meet twice a year and discuss issues where we have a common interest and how to go about advocating for change,” said NACC director, Marc-André O’Rourke. “We wanted the government, the media and the community in general to know that we’re going to work together under this format. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t worked together in various ways, but we wanted to announce that all of these associations have agreed that, on a lot of these issues, we can work together.”
The meetings will be attended by the presidents and chairmen of the various associations, many of whom have already held periodic meetings for several years.
“This is a forum for us to discuss common issues that we might be able to work out common positions on,” said John McKenna, president and CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC). “It’s giving structure to something that’s existed for a long time.”
Some of the topics that will be discussed at the CAAF meetings include:
•The importance of establishing a cohesive national air transport policy;
•Ensuring that cost benefit analyses and international benchmarking are considered when developing regulations;
•Ensuring an appropriate “pilot pipeline” and pilot training program; and
•Making improvements to Transport Canada’s management of oversight requirements and certification services.
“There is no question that to be internationally competitive in the 21st century, nations require a viable national and international air transportation system,” said McKenna. “We urge the government to stop treating the industry as a source of public revenue, and start treating the sector as an economic engine that drives our economy and is a key enabler of trade and tourism.”
CAAF member associations include:
• Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) – www.atac.ca
• Association québécoise du transport aérien (AQTA) – www.aqta.ca
• Aviation Alberta – www.aviationalberta.com
• British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) – www.bcaviationcouncil.org
• Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) – www.cbaa-acaa.ca
• Manitoba Aviation Council (MAC) – www.manitobaaviationcouncil.camp9.org
• National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) – www.airlinecouncil.ca
• Northern Air Transport Association (NATA) – www.nata-yzf.ca
• Saskatchewan Aviation Council (SAC) – www.saskaviationcouncil.ca
