Air transport: new inclusion in the PAAR for « additional » flights

Quebec responds favorably to one of the requests expressed by the elected officials of the Islands with regard to air transportation, by including additional flights in component 1 of the Regional Access Program.

In concrete terms, this means that travel to sports and artistic events can be reimbursed up to 60%.

According to Joël Arseneau, Member of Parliament for the Islands, it was necessary to ensure that these flights were eligible before the spring.

When the ARAP was unveiled last April, many were surprised by the withdrawal of charter flights, previously covered by the Airfare Reduction Program, which was in effect until 2022.

Both the Municipality of the Islands and the Member of Parliament have mobilized to ask the government to make a correction.

Early last week, Mr. Arseneau finally obtained confirmation from the office of the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, that these flights are considered « additional », which qualifies them for the 60% reduction.

Note that the Islands Chamber of Commerce has been asking since July to extend the program to inter-regional flights and to include terms and conditions for NPOs and businesses that have to travel.

In addition, the Quebec government announced on Friday that the committee on air transportation was becoming a permanent body.