In a response to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that four of Canada’s largest airports may be open to private operators, the Regional Community Airports of Canada (RCAC) is calling for a different method of funding the national airports system, sending an Open Letter* to the prime minister.
In a news release issued on September 23, the association says the current model requires airports to self-fund, which RCAC says, “stifles growth and connectivity, particularly among regional airports serving rural, northern and remote communities.”
“For more than 30 years, Canada’s aviation system has not only funded itself, but has generated tens of billions of revenues for government,” said James Lindsey, RCAC’s chairman. “As we consider its next evolution, do we continue treating aviation as a source of revenue, or recognize it as essential infrastructure connecting Canadians and enabling our economy”
RCAC points out that in 2025, Ottawa collected $556 million in airport ground rents, $142 million in aviation fuel taxes and $100 million in aviation security fee surpluses, yet many smaller community airports lack the means of generating the funds required to sustain commercial connectivity with the rest of the country. They suggest that the airport system not be considered a revenue source, but rather destination for greater investment.
“Canada cannot achieve our economic, social or sovereignty ambitions without connecting our nation,” Lindsey added. “Our airports connect people and communities, resources to markets, workers to opportunities and Canada to the world. A national aviation policy must recognize that role and invest accordingly.”
*Click here to read a copy of RCAC’s Open Letter to Prime Minister Carney.
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