Media
Welcome to the Media section. This section was designed with the aviation industry, the news media and the general public in mind. In this section you will find ATAC's latest press releases. If you would like additional information about a particular issue, be sure to check out the Issues section for backgrounders on a variety of ATAC issues. You may also wish to view the Data section for additional supporting documents, statistics, reports etc.
News Releases
March 8, 2010
Canadian Flight Schools Well Received by India Aviation Community
(See News Flash)
Version française à suivre
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March 4, 2010
ATAC Reviews the New Budget
(See News Flash)
ATAC commente la Budget Fédéral
(Voir Flash Nouvelle)
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February 26, 2010
ATAC Opposes 50% Increases in Air Travelers' Security Charge /
L'ATAC dénonce les augmentations de plus de 50% des droits pour la sécurité des passagers du transport aérien
(See News Flash / Voir Flash Nouvelle)
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February 25, 2010
ATAC Meets with Transport Deputy Minister /
L'ATAC rencontre la sous-ministre des Transports
(See News Flash / Voir Flash Nouvelle)
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February 1, 2010
Canadian Flight Schools Join Forces to Offer the Best of Canadian Flight Training to Indians
(See article)
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January 21, 2010
ATAC Announces the Appointment of Bill Boucher as Vice President, Operations / L’ATAC annonce la nomination de Bill Boucher à titre de vice-président, opérations
(See News Flash)
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January 19, 2010
ATAC asks the Prime Minister to help B.C. Members affected by the 2010 Olympic Security Measures
(See letter to PM)
[Read Entire Press Release]
Transport Minister Announces New Screening Equipment Acquisition
Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird and Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport) announced January 5, 2010 the acquisition of 44 new Millimetre Wave Full Body Scanners. The equipment will be deployed to the 8 largest Canadian airports. The controversial piece of equipment is opposed by a number of Canadians due to privacy concerns. The scanner can see through the clothes of each passenger who will have opted for a scan rather than a physical pat down. Transport Canada has attempted to alleviate passengers’ concerns by having the image displayed at a location separate from the screening location. The new equipment was ordered in response to the U.S. security requirements arising from the unsuccessful terrorist incident on the Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.
ATAC members participated in a series of emergency calls following the incident. The temporary measures include pat downs which cause a strain on the passenger screening lines and cause delays. ATAC supports the deployment in that it should reduce passenger inconvenience. ATAC does have concerns that the new equipment acquisition will result in the Air Travellers’ Security Charge to increase. ATAC believes these acquisitions are a national security issue and accordingly the funding should come from Canada’s General Fund.
Le ministre des Transports investit dans des scanners corporels
Le ministre canadien des Transports, John Baird, et le ministre d’État aux Transports, Rob Merrifield, ont annoncé aujourd’hui que le gouvernement du Canada fera l’acquisition de scanners corporels en vue de rehausser la sûreté dans les aéroports canadiens.
Les ministres ont annoncé ce 5 janvier 2010 que le Gouvernement fera l’acquisition de 44 nouveaux scanners corporels. Ces équipements seront installés dans les huit principaux aéroports canadiens.
L’installation de ces équipements provoque la controverse chez un certain nombre de canadiens préoccupés par la protection de la vie privée. Les scanners révèlent une image nue de chaque passager qui préférera ce mode d’inspection à la fouille tactile. Transports Canada tente d’atténuer les préoccupations quant à la protection de la vie privée des passagers en s’assurant que la visualisation de l’image sera faite dans une pièce séparée et qu’aucun contact ne sera établi entre l’inspecteur et le passager.
L’acquisition de cet équipement est en réponse aux mesures de sûreté américaines établies suite à l’attentat terroriste ratée sur un vol de la Delta Airlines d’Amsterdam à Détroit le 25 décembre dernier.
L’ATAC et ses membres ont participé aux nombreux appels conférence d’urgence qui ont suivi l’incident. Les mesures temporaires en vigueur incluent des fouilles tactiles, ce qui ajoute au processus et cause des retards. L’ATAC appuie l’installation de ces scanners puisqu’ils devraient réduire les inconvénients aux passagers.
Toutefois, l’ATAC s’inquiète du fait que l’acquisition de ce nouvel équipement résultera en une majoration des droits pour la sécurité des passagers du transport aérien. L’ATAC considère que l’acquisition de ces scanners est une question de sûreté nationale et en conséquent devrait être financée à même le Fonds consolidé.
[Read Entire Press Release]
ATAC Meets Transport Minister and Many MPs on Olympic Compensation
Ottawa, December 10, 2009. The Air Transport Association of Canada met yesterday with Transport Minister John Baird on the need for compensation for Vancouver area air operators facing severe restrictions on their activities due to Olympic security measures. The minister indicated that he clearly understood and promised to speak to his colleagues in Cabinet on the seriousness of the consequences to carriers and flight schools.
L’ATAC discute de compensation financière avec le ministre Baird et plusieurs députés fédéraux pour les transporteurs régionaux de Vancouver lésés par les mesures de sécurité aérienne
Ottawa, le 10 décembre 2009. L’Association du transport aérien du Canada (ATAC) a rencontré le ministre fédéral des Transports, John Baird, pour discuter de compensation financière pour les transporteurs aériens de la région de Vancouver qui subiront d'importantes restrictions imposées par les mesures de sécurité aérienne mises en place pour les Jeux Olympiques de Vancouver de 2010. Le ministre a clairement signifié qu’il comprenait la gravité de la situation et a manifesté le désir d’explorer toutes les avenues possibles de solution et s’est engagé à aborder le sujet avec ses collègues du cabinet.
[Read Entire Press Release]
ATAC Moves to a “Full Court Press” on Olympic Compensation
ATAC Moves to a “Full Court Press” on Olympic Compensation
Ottawa, December 4, 2009. The Air Transport Association of Canada is ramping up its effort to secure compensation for members impacted by recently finalized aviation security measures concerning the 2010 Olympics.
L’ATAC intensifie l’offensive en faveur des transporteurs lésés par la sécurité olympique
Ottawa, le 4 décembre 2009. L’Association du transport aérien du Canada intensifie ses efforts pour obtenir une compensation pour les membres lésés par les mesures de sécurité imposés en vue des jeux olympiques d’hiver 2010 de Vancouver.
[Read Entire Press Release]
Lates News on Bill C-310
Latest News on Bill C310
The members of the Committee voted on November 23rd on a Bloc québécois motion not to pursue work on Bill C-310, in effect putting an end to Bill C-310. Although the Bill will be subjected to a final House one-hour debate, there is little or no chance that it will survive.
Nouvelle de dernière heure
Les membres du Comité permanent ont adopté le 23 novembre une motion deposée par le Bloc québécois visant à suspendre les travaux et de ne pas procéder davantage avec le projet de loi C-310. Ceci signale à toute fin pratique la fin du projet de loi. Quoiqu’il sera soumis à un dernier débat d’une heure en chambre, le projet de loi sera soit défait lors du vote de troisième lecture ou il sera simplement abandonné au feuilleton.
[Read Entire Press Release]
ATAC Opposes Private Members Bill C-310
A rookie NDP Member of Parliament, James Malloway, introduced Bill C-310 on February 10, 2009. The Bill purports to provide rights to air passengers. A review of the legislation indicates that the approach taken by Mr. Malloway was a highly financially punitive effort to correct certain ills that he saw in the existing air transport sector.
Financial penalties would apply to flight cancellations, tarmac delays, delays in the departure lounge, denial of boarding, lack of information on flights and lost baggage.
ATAC objects to the impact that the Bill will have on:
1) Safety (as the Bill will encourage risk taking;
2) The economic injustice of compensating a $99 fare with $1200
3) The Bill’s application on small aircraft operations and remote areas; and
4) The inequitable accountability (making airlines liable for weather, air traffic control system or airport delays)
The Bill saw and passed second reading in May and it is anticipated that the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities will undertake a hearing.
ATAC intends to figure prominence in the SCOTIC hearings and will point out the many flaws in the Bill.
[Read Entire Press Release]
ATAC REFLECTS ON BUDGET
Ottawa, January 27, 2009 – A step in the right direction. This is how John McKenna, President of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC), considers the budget released today by the Minister of Finance.
He indicated that the decision not to finance an estimated $282 million in additional funding for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority through an increase in the Air Travellers’ Security Charge was positive for air transportation in Canada. “It would have been inopportune to raise a tax during these economically difficult times.”
The funding will support development of aviation security plans, improve operations of CATSA and implement a new passenger assessment system. “We need to look closely at what this new passenger assessment system will entail. The same can be said for the $14 million cargo security plan also announced today,” continued Mr. McKenna.
Positive features of the budget for Canadian air carriers also include the increase in small business deductions and extended capital cost allowances on computers.
[Read Entire Press Release]
ATAC Announces New President and Chief Executive Officer
Ottawa, January 6, 2009 – The Air Transport Association of Canada would like to welcome John McKenna as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.With over 20 years of experience, Mr. McKenna is very well suited to take the leadership role at ATAC. He has held a wide variety of transportation-related assignments both in the public and private sectors. His experience includes senior positions within the transportation sector of the Quebec provincial government as well as various private sector endeavors. He has held the position of President and General Manager of the Asssociation québécoise du transport aérien (Quebec Air Transport Association) since 2003.
[Read Entire Press Release]
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA HAS PLEDGED TO REDUCE FEDERAL FUEL EXCISE TAX ON AVIATION FUEL
Ottawa, September 9, 2008 – The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) is gratified to learn that the Conservative Party of Canada has pledged to reduce Federal Fuel Excise Tax on Aviation Fuel from 4 cents a litre to 2 cents a litre. The reduction will amount to a savings of approximately $50 million annually to the industry.
Interim President Michael Skrobica noted that “the savings proposed by Prime Minister Harper will aid air transport operators who have been hard hit by significantly higher fuel costs this year”.
Mr. Skrobica added “this reduction in the Fuel Excise Tax would amount to the first reduction in the tax since it was introduced in 1985 and would serve as an example to the provinces who levy similar fuel excise taxes at varying rates”.
For Further Information:
Michael Skrobica
Interim President and CEO
(613) 233-7727 ext 310
(613) 853-2478 (cell)
[Read Entire Press Release]
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