The Alberta authorities and WestJet introduced on Wednesday that they’d signed a memorandum of understanding that guarantees to make Calgary and Alberta a hub for the aviation trade.
As a part of the settlement, the federal government dedicated round $73 million over quite a few years towards the aviation and tourism industries in Alberta.
WestJet additionally stated they’ll designate the Calgary airport as its solely connecting hub inside its community.
“As we speak’s announcement … is about making Alberta the main province for aviation in Canada and we, as WestJet, are very proud to play a key position on this,” stated CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.
“It is extremely crucial as a result of simply by getting all these connecting passengers by this airport, we’re in a position to supply direct routes that we would not be capable to supply in any other case.”
He says this implies YYC would be the solely airport the place WestJet connects on to intercontinental locations.
Financial diversification, job creation
A part of the federal government’s $73 million, they stated, will go towards Mount Royal College’s aviation program to coach pilots and develop their hangar.
About $7 million in capital and a complete of $1.06 million will go to the post-secondary establishment.
The federal government stated the brand new working funding will permit MRU so as to add a further 40 seats in its aviation diploma program to assist meet the labour market demand for pilots.
The federal government may even develop bursary and pupil mortgage applications for in-demand aviation occupations, together with pilots and aviation upkeep personnel.
“We’re going through a significant international scarcity of pilots,” stated Premier Jason Kenney. “Alberta desires to embrace the chance of this funding by changing into a significant supply of expert new pilots for WestJet and your complete trade.”
The federal government may even fund a labour market coaching program of $5 million yearly over three years to offset coaching prices within the aviation sector. It is out there to Alberta-based carriers and can prioritize operations from new worldwide and intercontinental markets.
Investing in tourism
Journey Alberta, which the province stated remains to be reeling from the impression of the pandemic, may even profit from further investments with a rise in advertising funding.
They will obtain $10 million yearly over 5 years, up from $6.5 million.
“It is a banner day for job creation in Alberta, for the diversification of our economic system, for the tourism trade, for passengers who could have extra selection and decrease costs, for brand spanking new funding, for a worldwide enterprise,” stated Kenney.
“It is going to be a game-changer for our economic system.”
WestJet stated the settlement represents a “multi-billion asset funding” into the area and the airport.
The corporate stated it can relocate all of its 787 Dreamliners — a few of that are at present in Vancouver and Toronto — to Calgary by subsequent summer season.