Yukon's aviation sector will receive $3.56 million in support to help compensate for lost revenues as a result of COVID-19.
The government will flow federal funding to aviation businesses to support critical and essential routes and the transportation of vital supplies. The $3.56 million in funding is Yukon's portion of Government of Canada support announced on April 14th.
Of this funding, $1.1 million will be directed to Air North over three months to ensure the continued operation of critical routes to the North. These routes ensure scheduled delivery of medical samples, supplies and critical front-line staff to Yukon.
Yukon aviation businesses will benefit from the waiving of commercial fees. When coupled with the previously announced waiver of aviation landing, parking and loading fees, these changes will save aviation businesses approximately $780,000.
The new fee waivers 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 like charges for electricity.
These fees are waived from April 1 until December 31, 2020.
Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn said in a statement, Yukon's airlines are critical to our northern lifestyle. They connect our communities, safely get us to medical services, transport much needed goods and support our economy. This funding will ensure critical medical cargo, including COVID-19 tests, continues to be sent to and from the territory. Airlines have been deeply impacted by this pandemic and we are glad to provide some support at this time.
The aviation industry has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 public health crisis with passenger traffic dropping almost 90 per cent nationally.
Air North will be the primary beneficiary of this funding. This funding will support five weekly flights to Vancouver and three on their northern route that services Dawson and Old Crow.
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