Pascan Aviation, a Canadian aviation company, has announced that it will be making cutbacks as its aid scheme comes to an end. The company has been relying on the aid scheme to help it stay afloat during the pandemic, but with the scheme ending, Pascan Aviation is now forced to make tough decisions. The cutbacks will likely have an impact on the company's employees and operations. As a professional aviation company, Pascan Aviation understands the importance of making difficult decisions in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. The company remains committed to providing safe and reliable aviation services to its customers and will work diligently to navigate through these challenging times.
Pascan Aviation, a Canadian airline based in Montréal St. Hubert, has announced that it will have to cut back on its network and lay off workers due to the Quebec government's decision to end an air travel subsidy scheme to some remote areas of the province. The airline has stated that it will have to eliminate flights to certain regions that are not financially viable.
The program was designed to provide aid to offset operating deficits resulting from the pandemic so carriers could maintain services to areas that only see limited air travel. These areas include Nunavik, the Lower North Shore, and the Magdalen Islands.
Quebec government's decision
The Quebec government approved CAD10 million Canadian dollars (USD7.3 million) in its 2023-2024 budget to extend the scheme but opted not to renew it in September. Pascan Aviation has stated that it learned of the decision earlier this week.
Criticism of the government's decision
The decision has been met with criticism from some quarters. Joël Arseneau, Parti Québécois MP for the Magdalen Islands, has accused the government of abandoning remote regions and its duty to help airline services in those areas. According to Arseneau, abandoning the program means remote communities will suffer if the number of flights to them is reduced, giving the example of people traveling to Québec for treatment and local populations becoming dependent on independent workers.
Defense of the decision by Geneviève Guilbault
Geneviève Guilbault, the province's transport minister, has defended the decision, stating that airlines have bounced back since the pandemic and "two years later, most carriers have recovered or exceeded their pre-pandemic traffic levels."
Pascan Aviation's current operations
Pascan Aviation currently operates a fleet of six Saab 340Bs and three Jetstream 32s on 18 routes between eight destinations. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ch-aviation.
Significance of the subsidy scheme's end
The decision by the Quebec government to end the subsidy scheme highlights the challenges faced by airlines in maintaining services to remote areas during the pandemic. The impact of the decision on Pascan Aviation and the communities it serves remains to be seen.
(This article is sourced from ch-aviation.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
