Howard Eng: Canadian Airports

Pearson International Dept: But not everyone agrees taxes and fees are the primary source of what ails the air travel industry in Canada. Howard Eng, chief executive of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, which oversees the country s busiest airport, Pearson International, is one of them, according to Montreal Gazette. They re looking at the cost disadvantage between Canadian airports and U.S airports, Mr. Eng said in an interview at Pearson earlier this week. But it s more than that. What I would like to see is a focus on the opportunities around the world. This is a global business and government taxes and fees have long carried the blame for the noncompetitive nature of Canadian airports and for the bleed of nearly 5 million passengers a year in search of cheaper flights south of the border. Mr. Eng argues that while reducing various government fees such as airport rents, security charges, and fuel excise taxes, will certainly help the federal government would be better served focusing on a national strategy to increase the number of passengers flying to the country. This would include the elimination of red tape for passengers transferring onto other destinations, streamlining the customs process, and making the country a focal point for travel in emerging markets like India and China. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.