Canadian government reduces domestic air travel security charge by 42%

Airline Industry Information, Feb 19, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Canadian federal government has cut the country's domestic air travel security charge by 42%.

The government announced yesterday (18 February) that the security tax has been reduced from CAD24 to CAD14 per round trip ticket. Low-cost carrier WestJet Airlines and Air Canada have previously labelled the security tax as onerous, saying that it discouraged people from taking short-haul trips. The two airlines also complained that fuel taxes, airport improvement fees, navigation fees and the security tax added up to 40% to each round trip ticket for domestic air travel.

Canadian airlines have applauded the move, but claim that more has to be done to help the battered industry, reported Reuters.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))