The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on remote communities that depend on small air carriers for essential goods, services, and for access in and out of the community.

“While we continue to work together to limit the spread of COVID-19, we must also ensure remote communities continue to have the air connectivity they need for essential goods and services, travel and business. This agreement with the Government of British Columbia will allow for reliable air services to keep remote communities in British Columbia connected to the rest of the country.”

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport 

“We know that COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on many of our sectors, including the aviation sector. We would like to thank the Government of Canada for their contribution which will help smaller air carriers through these difficult times, and help support essential access to smaller, remote communities.”

The Honourable Rob Fleming
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government of British Columbia 

• Additional funding may be provided and will depend on the needs of communities and the pace of recovery of air travel into remote communities. 

• Remote communities are those that rely on air service as the only year-round mode of transportation. 

• There are four communities with airports or aerodromes in British Columbia which are considered remote.  

• Some communities may have limited access to seasonal ice roads or long and unreliable gravel roads.  

Associated links

• Government of Canada announces new measures to support essential air access to remote communities
• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada

Allison St-Jean
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca