Should Canada implement an essential air service?
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- theflyingmoose
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Should Canada implement an essential air service?
Saw an article a few weeks back about using COVID as an opportunity to reregulate certain unprofitable routes: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contrib ... ation.html
I wonder why Canada doesn't have an EU/US-style essential air service. It makes moral sense, and might make financial sense with COVID hurting profitable international routes in the case of AC, but I'm curious if there's another factor at play. We did a little more research: https://theflyingmoose.net/should-canad ... r-service/ - would love some thoughts on our reasoning and whether we missed something
I wonder why Canada doesn't have an EU/US-style essential air service. It makes moral sense, and might make financial sense with COVID hurting profitable international routes in the case of AC, but I'm curious if there's another factor at play. We did a little more research: https://theflyingmoose.net/should-canad ... r-service/ - would love some thoughts on our reasoning and whether we missed something
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
Website is an “okay” replica of simpleflying.com.
Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
- theflyingmoose
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
Good enough starting point!alkaseltzer wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:25 pm Website is an “okay” replica of simpleflying.com.
Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
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- RedAndWhiteBaron
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
I haven't read the aritcle. But we do have an "essential" rail service - VIA trains 1&2, otherwise known as "The Canadian". It's the only affordable way in and out of countless communities across the country, and It's a total shitshow. There's territorial issues because VIA runs on CN owned tracks, and so freight is given priority over passengers, but it's largely considered the most unreliable scheduled train service in the developed world. I've followed their reliability at times before deciding on whether or not to use them for wilderness access; I've seen those trains be 2 days behind schedule.theflyingmoose wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:46 pm Saw an article a few weeks back about using COVID as an opportunity to reregulate certain unprofitable routes: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contrib ... ation.html
I wonder why Canada doesn't have an EU/US-style essential air service. It makes moral sense, and might make financial sense with COVID hurting profitable international routes in the case of AC, but I'm curious if there's another factor at play. We did a little more research: https://theflyingmoose.net/should-canad ... r-service/ - would love some thoughts on our reasoning and whether we missed something
I doubt an "essential air service" would be much better. Services like this are beholden to government funding - and always seen as a cost centre. They're the first thing to get cut when a fiscally conservative leadership moves in. This would just be... unreliable at best, and temporary at worst.
(Perhaps I should read the article)
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- theflyingmoose
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
Fair enough - a formal service like this will never be cheap, and government funding could end up being more inconsistent than the pre-covid status quo. Just hoping that it'd be a better alternative than having VIA 1&2 as the "essential" transport connection + leaving numerous communities isolated during sudden shocks like the pandemic. Might be too much to ask for ¯\_(ツ)_/¯RedAndWhiteBaron wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:44 pm
I haven't read the aritcle. But we do have an "essential" rail service - VIA trains 1&2, otherwise known as "The Canadian". It's the only affordable way in and out of countless communities across the country, and It's a total shitshow. There's territorial issues because VIA runs on CN owned tracks, and so freight is given priority over passengers, but it's largely considered the most unreliable scheduled train service in the developed world. I've followed their reliability at times before deciding on whether or not to use them for wilderness access; I've seen those trains be 2 days behind schedule.
I doubt an "essential air service" would be much better. Services like this are beholden to government funding - and always seen as a cost centre. They're the first thing to get cut when a fiscally conservative leadership moves in. This would just be... unreliable at best, and temporary at worst.
Blogging about aviation insights in Canada! https://theflyingmoose.net
- RedAndWhiteBaron
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
I think it is. Don't forget that AC was once a Crown corporation. One deal they made when going private was that they would not ever, not under any circumstances, ever cut off access to the communities that depended on their service. They've recently egregiously reneged on that agreement, but that's another argument for another day. They should still be held to the terms of that agreement. As far as I am concerned, if they fail to live up to that agreement, they should be nationalized - and bingo bango bongo, we have our essential air service - the one that AC agreed to keep running in the first place.theflyingmoose wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:20 pmFair enough - a formal service like this will never be cheap, and government funding could end up being more inconsistent than the pre-covid status quo. Just hoping that it'd be a better alternative than having VIA 1&2 as the "essential" transport connection + leaving numerous communities isolated during sudden shocks like the pandemic. Might be too much to ask for ¯\_(ツ)_/¯RedAndWhiteBaron wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:44 pm
I haven't read the aritcle. But we do have an "essential" rail service - VIA trains 1&2, otherwise known as "The Canadian". It's the only affordable way in and out of countless communities across the country, and It's a total shitshow. There's territorial issues because VIA runs on CN owned tracks, and so freight is given priority over passengers, but it's largely considered the most unreliable scheduled train service in the developed world. I've followed their reliability at times before deciding on whether or not to use them for wilderness access; I've seen those trains be 2 days behind schedule.
I doubt an "essential air service" would be much better. Services like this are beholden to government funding - and always seen as a cost centre. They're the first thing to get cut when a fiscally conservative leadership moves in. This would just be... unreliable at best, and temporary at worst.
I do salute you for the effort and the well thought out argument though (I read your argument). Kudos.
I will dance the sky on laughter-silvered wings.
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
Thanks, appreciate it! Re-nationalising is also an interesting idea - some railways in the UK have been taken back by governments during the pandemic, so it's not out of the question. I haven't kept up with the latest updates about an airline bailout, but I can see Canada taking a stake in AC as a condition.RedAndWhiteBaron wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:10 pm
I think it is. Don't forget that AC was once a Crown corporation. One deal they made when going private was that they would not ever, not under any circumstances, ever cut off access to the communities that depended on their service. They've recently egregiously reneged on that agreement, but that's another argument for another day. They should still be held to the terms of that agreement. As far as I am concerned, if they fail to live up to that agreement, they should be nationalized - and bingo bango bongo, we have our essential air service - the one that AC agreed to keep running in the first place.
I do salute you for the effort and the well thought out argument though (I read your argument). Kudos.
Blogging about aviation insights in Canada! https://theflyingmoose.net
Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
There has never been such a 'deal' or clause. Air Canada as a private corporation since 1988 has never been beholden to maintain specific routes.RedAndWhiteBaron wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:10 pm... One deal they made when going private was that they would not ever, not under any circumstances, ever cut off access to the communities that depended on their service...
Read the Air Canada Participation Act. There's nothing about maintaining any standard of service.
3/4 of the act is about making sure the service is bilingual. Nothing about routes.
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?
You're right in that it was never put into writing - and this is a huge part of the problem.plhought wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:51 am There has never been such a 'deal' or clause. Air Canada as a private corporation since 1988 has never been beholden to maintain specific routes.
Read the Air Canada Participation Act. There's nothing about maintaining any standard of service.
3/4 of the act is about making sure the service is bilingual. Nothing about routes.
The linked article" wrote:While never spelled out, the political understanding then was that Air Canada would not abandon smaller communities entirely in its quest for profits.
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Re: Should Canada implement an essential air service?

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