PROVINCE SUPPORTS CALL FOR FEDS TO REDUCE SECURITY FEES

Released on November 28, 2002

The Saskatchewan government says it supports the airline industry's request

for the federal government to reduce airline security fees.



A study released yesterday by the Air Transport Association of Canada found

that the security fee implemented by the federal government in April, 2002

is discouraging air travel.



"Security is important to Saskatchewan people," Highways and Transportation

Minister Mark Wartman said. "However, we are concerned that the security

fees imposed by the federal government are unreasonable."



Minister Wartman, as a member of a council of western provincial transport

ministers, is urging the federal government to reduce security fees for

passengers.



The federal government's flat-rate security fee is the highest in the world

at $12 for a one-way ticket and $24 for a return ticket regardless of the

distance a passenger travels.



Saskatchewan's economy is highly dependent on short-haul domestic travel

between centres like Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton.

The additional costs to business and individuals will likely continue to

reduce the number of trips between those centres.



"We are onside with the airline industry's concerns that the security fees

are at the expense of local airports and short-haul passengers, and are

discouraging travel and use of airport facilities in general," Wartman said.



"Our economy will continue to be harmed by the decline in airline traffic,

which will no doubt result in further reductions in service," Wartman

added. "I would like to see the federal government cover a portion of the

security fees and develop a more equitable system based on air distance

traveled."



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For more information, contact:

Vanessa Gooliaff-Beaupré

Highways and Transportation

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4792