Admitting that “much work remains to be done” to ensure “safe, efficient and reliable air travel” in this country, the federal government will hold a National Summit on the Recovery of the Air Sector on Nov. 24.

The Summit will bring together government departments and agencies, as well as industry partners including airports, airlines, industry associations, unions, and consumer groups to discuss the issues facing the aviation sector currently and in the future.

“This past summer demonstrated how much work remains to be done to ensure a strong recovery of the sector and the continued need for collaboration between all partners,” said a government statement, adding, “Discussions at the Summit will focus on what needs to be done, collectively and individually, to build a more resilient and reliable air transportation sector for the future.”

Facilitating open discussions is designed to help the government identify ways to mitigate aviation sector pressures, and to encourage partners to come up with innovative solutions. For the participants, it will also be an opportunity to hear about the government’s key priorities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the important role Canada’s air sector plays in our country’s economy, and the lives of Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast,” says Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. “It is important to come together with our partners to discuss the progress we have made as well as the challenges that remain.

He adds, “By sharing lessons learned, as well as strategies for future resilience, we are confident we will come out with a much stronger aviation industry—one able to more easily overcome future disruptions.”