OTTAWA, ON, March 7, 2025 – Airports in Canada serve as vital economic engines, facilitating the movement of millions of passengers both domestically and internationally each year. Investing in these airports bolsters economic growth, enhances aviation services and safety, and improves transportation access for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, representing the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, today issued a policy statement regarding investment in Canada’s National Airports System airports. This statement fulfills a commitment made in the Budget 2024 to promote and support investments in airport infrastructure.
The National Airports System comprises 26 airports, with 22 managed by private, not-for-profit airport authorities. While these authorities operate with operational and financial independence, the airports are situated on land leased from the Government of Canada.
The policy statement emphasizes the existing flexibility within the governance framework for Canada’s airport authorities to attract investments, including from pension funds. It identifies three potential avenues—subleases, subcontracts, and subsidiaries—for private investors and developers to collaborate with airport authorities.
The policy statement also reveals the government’s intention to explore negotiating extensions to airport authority leases to facilitate third-party investment and development projects on airport properties.
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“Canada’s airport operators have developed exceptional infrastructure, connecting people, services, and goods. To accommodate the continued growth of our air sector, it is crucial to secure investment from diverse sources to ensure our airports can effectively serve the needs of Canadians. This policy statement offers clear guidance on the various ways private investors can collaborate with National Airports System airport authorities, benefiting both the airports and the communities they support.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
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SOURCE Transport Canada – Ottawa
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