Regional air transport: the UMQ wants a quick meeting of stakeholders

The Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) is asking the government to quickly convene a meeting of the intervention group on the revival of regional air services, in order to take stock of the impact of government measures implemented in recent years.

The organization deplores the lack of guarantees for regional services, citing variable schedules, frequent cancellations and postponed flights as examples.

Manon Cyr, Chair of the UMQ Air Transport Committee and Mayor of Chibougamau, points out that this is a major issue for remote regions such as the Islands.

However, she is hopeful that the key players in finding solutions will be able to meet in the coming weeks.

The intervention group formed in July 2020 by Quebec, last met in March 2022.

Joël Arseneau, MNA for the Islands, who himself took part in these meetings, believes that it is urgent to address the « degradation » of services offered in the region.

The elected officials of the Communauté maritime des Îles made recommendations to the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Geneviève Guilbault, at the last municipal council meeting to request improvements to the Regional Air Access Program.