An organization that represents more than 50,000 Quebec businesses is asking the Quebec government to make all interregional plane flights eligible for the price capped at $500 per ticket, rather than just flights that connect the regions to major centers.
In a letter sent to Transport Minister François Bonnardel on Thursday, the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ) says the lack of eligibility for $500 plane tickets is limiting interregional travel. The Federation recommends that it withdraw the obligation to pass through commercial airports in the metropolitan communities of Montreal and Quebec City, and that the offer be open to all regional commercial air connections in the Quebec regions.
The president and CEO of the FCCQ, Charles Milliard, maintains that access to regional air transport is essential to promote the vitality and economic influence of the regions.
Monitoring committee
Mr. Milliard adds that the current uncertainty about the frequency of flights is an additional issue that deserves to be addressed in the context of a regular forum between the Minister, his department and stakeholders as well as users in the field. The FCCQ is therefore asking the government to set up a committee to monitor the impacts and benefits of the Regional Air Access Program (PAAR). The program, which came into effect on 1er June, has two components: one intended for residents of remote regions — Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord and Basse-Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saguenay–Lac-Saint- Jean, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James and Whapmagoostui — the other to the general public.
Residents of these regions are entitled to a refund of 30% to 60% of the ticket price and are not subject to any maximum amount. For the general public, tickets are $500 round-trip or $250 one-way, and each person is allowed six one-way or three round-trips. The maximum price of $500 includes airport and security fees, as well as taxes.
The Regional Air Access Program has an envelope of $86 million for two years.