The President/CEO of Westjet Airlines believes high taxes and fees are hindering the airline industry in Canada.
Gregg Saretsky told a Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce crowd that those added costs to an airline ticket make it a tough business.
Saretsky noted when Westjet offered $19 dollar one-way fares last year, a trip from Halifax to Jamaica became $190 dollars with taxes and fees.
“It’s really hard to stimulate demand and to convince Canadian consumers that they are getting great value when taxes and fees create the burden that they do on the price of an airline ticket,” he notes.
Because of that, Saretsky notes each year more than 5 million Canadians flock to U.S. border cities like Bangor, Maine to begin their journey.
He adds that means Canadians are also spending money on hotels and restaurants in the U.S. rather than at home.
