The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the The event will highlight the crucial role air transport plays in driving Canada’s economic growth and will address the unique challenges facing Canada’s aviation sector. Air travel is instrumental in fostering tourism, developing business, enhancing connectivity and regional access, and sustaining economic activity. To leverage these benefits effectively, it is imperative for Canada to implement measures that promote a more competitive, accessible, sustainable and cost-effective aviation system. By prioritizing these initiatives, Canada can position itself for long-term economic resilience and growth, ensuring that air transport continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s development.
Aviation Day Canada will bring together members and experts from the airline industry, tourism sector, and other key stakeholders in the air transport value chain, alongside government officials, regulators, international organizations, suppliers, media, and more.
The agenda includes keynote remarks on the current state of air travel in Canada, the Government of Canada’s vision for aviation, and regulatory insights surrounding consumer protection. Panel discussions will contend with bolstering competitiveness in Canada’s air transport system, recommendations to improve the passenger experience in Canada, and the economic benefits of aviation in Canada on non-aviation sectors through the facilitation of trade, tourism, and investment. Aviation Day Canada will also engage with the airline industry on the country’s path towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, particularly in relation to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, and Canada’s changes and improvements on air travel for persons with disabilities.
The Airline CEO Panel will feature Michael Rousseau, President & CEO, Air Canada, Shelly De Caria, President & CEO, Canadian North, Annick Guerard, President & CEO, Transat and Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO, WestJet.
Other influential voices that have confirmed their participation in Aviation Day Canada include:
• The Hon. Lisa Raitt, Former Minister of Transport, Canada / Vice-Chair and Managing Director, Global Investment Banking at CIBC Capital Markets
• Nada Semaan, President and CEO, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
• Erin O’Gorman, President, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• Mark Cooper, Vice President, Chief Technology, and Information Officer, NAV CANADA
• Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer, Canada
• Laura Dawson, Executive Director of Future Borders Coalition
• Nelson Camacho, CEO Swissport, US & Canada
• Kevin Jackson, President, Porter Airlines
• Andy Gibbons, Vice-President, External Affairs, WestJet
• Jeff Morrison, President & CEO, NACC
• Peter Cerdá, Regional Vice President, The Americas, IATA
• Doug Lavin, Vice President, Member and External Relations North America, IATA
Media are invited to attend. Media wishing to be accredited for the event should email aviationdaycanada@iata.org.
