WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech is calling on the federal government to rethink how it treats the aviation industry, arguing that lowering fees and taxes on air travel would not only benefit Canadians but also help build national unity.
Speaking to a Calgary business audience on Tuesday, von Hoensbroech questioned why federal funding supports transportation infrastructure like bridges, railways, and ferries, while aviation — often the only means of accessing many remote communities — faces an array of government-imposed costs.
“We need to build Canada — now even more than in the past — and aviation plays a key role,” he said, adding that it's "fundamentally wrong" that air travel is not treated as essential, as reported by CTV News.
His remarks come at a pivotal moment for WestJet, which just announced the full integration of Sunwing Airlines, marking the end of a consolidation process that began with the 2023 acquisition.
The move is expected to streamline operations and expand the airline’s leisure offerings, particularly to sun destinations — a segment that continues to see strong demand even amid broader shifts in travel patterns.
In his speech, von Hoensbroech highlighted the cost disparity between Canada and the United States. A round-trip ticket in Canada includes roughly $133 in fees — more than double the $49 paid in the U.S.
“Right now, there are millions of Canadians that cannot afford an air ticket,” he said.
“A lot of this is because of the infrastructure costs and fees and charges are so high, and so much higher than in most other countries.”
Von Hoensbroech also referenced King Charles’ federal throne speech delivered the same day, quoting: “The government is guided by conviction that the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone,” adding, “Many, many Canadians are struggling to get ahead.”
His push for policy reform echoes growing calls from Canadian business leaders to reduce internal trade barriers and strengthen the country’s global competitiveness, particularly as relations with the U.S. become increasingly unpredictable.
Still, von Hoensbroech remains hopeful that political tensions are temporary. “What we have seen in the past in our industry is that whenever there’s a change in demand patterns for political reasons, it’s usually transitional,” he said.
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