To gain revenue of about $300 million, the federal government will collect 33 percent more in safety fees from airline travellers.
The rise in fees is part of the 2023 budget plan, and it includes an increase from $15 to $20 on domestic flights and $26 to $34 on international flights, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
While the fee was introduced in 2002 following the 9/11 attacks to increase security, it has provided the Department of Transport with a profit of some 8 percent above and beyond security costs, according to figures reviewed by Blacklock’s.
National Airlines Council (NAC) brought up the same issue at a pre-budget consultation in 2019: “While it was notionally intended to fund the operation of the new security screening body, between 2010 and 2016, the Air Travellers’ Security Charge (ATSC) has generated a windfall for the Government of Canada of $547.5 million.”…