Government announces B.C. aviation strategy

LANGLEY - The government of B.C. launched an aviation strategy today that will help grow the economy, create jobs for British Columbians and increase investment in the province.

Opening and expanding international markets for B.C.'s goods and services is one of the pillars of the BC Jobs Plan. The Connecting with the World Aviation Strategy for British Columbia is critical to making the province more competitive in the global aviation market and attracting a growing share of Asia Pacific passenger and cargo business.

Earlier this year, the B.C. government eliminated the jet fuel tax for international flights, providing greater financial certainty for airlines, allowing them to invest in expansion with more confidence and saving them thousands of dollars per day on long-haul flights. This change increases B.C.'s competitiveness and brings the province in line with the neighbouring jurisdictions of Alberta, Washington and California, which do not have a comparable fuel tax.

There are ...