Support for aviation industry

Support for aviation industry

The aviation industry has been among the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, air passenger traffic has declined dramatically. Airlines have faced staff layoffs and the grounding of planes. While travel for non-essential purposes has largely ceased, this industry is still a vital link to the rest of the country for Yukoners.

Yukon initiatives

Waiving landing, parking and loading fees

From April 1 until December 31, 2020, the government is waiving fees at the Whitehorse airport for:

• airport landing;
• aircraft parking; and
• aircraft loading.

This change will save approximately $210,000 for businesses and the tourism industry. It will also provide incentives for carriers of all sizes to visit and stay in Yukon. These changes will:

• help address the economic struggles brought on by COVID-19; and
• promote economic recovery for Yukon’s aviation businesses in the coming months.

Waiving commercial aviation fees

The government is waiving all commercial aviation fees from April 1 until December 31, 2020.

These include:

• land lease and licence fees;
• building lease and licence fees;
• air terminal building concession fees;
• aircraft fuel lease and licence fees;
• aircraft fuel concession fees;
• parking stall fees; and
• service recoveries such as charges for electricity.

Businesses that are eligible for the fee waiver include:

• air carriers;
• commercial aircraft operators (fixed and rotary wing);
• aircraft maintenance operators; and
• aviation-related concessionaires such as:
  • food services;
  • vehicle rentals;
  • the gift shop,
  • aircraft fuelling services.

Other non-commercial agencies are not eligible.

Additional support

We expect further changes to be announced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal initiatives

• Support to Canada's Air Transportation Sector
• COVID-19 measures, updates and guidance issued by Transport Canada
• Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, support for sectors
• COVID-19 exemptions to the Canadian Aviation Regulations