Mar 26, 2024
TIABC Appeals for Assistance on Behalf of Small Air Carriers
TIABC recently submitted letters to the US Consul General in Vancouver and the US Ambassador to Canada, appealing for assistance in resolving an urgent matter that has potential to negatively impact BC's tourism sector, particularly in Greater Victoria and Metro Vancouver.
TIABC recently submitted letters to the US Consul General in Vancouver and the US Ambassador to Canada, appealing for assistance in resolving an urgent matter that has potential to negatively impact BC’s tourism sector, particularly in Greater Victoria and Metro Vancouver.
This is due to the fact that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking to impose new inspection fees on commercial airlines entering the country. Historically, smaller aircraft of 64 seats or less have been exempt from this fee given they typically pose no phytosanitary risk or inspection burden.
It is the goal of TIABC and its small airline members, Destination Greater Victoria and other stakeholders to have the USDA re-open the public comment period so input by small carriers can be fully considered, ultimately leading to a further exemption for aircraft with 16 or fewer seats.
