Letter to Air Canada CEO, Michael Rousseau

July 18, 2023

Michael Rousseau President and Chief Executive Officer Air Canada 7373 Cote-vertu West, St. Laurent, QC H4S 1Z3

Dear Mr. Rousseau, We are writing to you today, as the Members of Parliament from London, Ontario and the surrounding area to express our concerns over the availability and reliability of flights, and the protection of local jobs at the London International Airport. As MPs within this region, we consistently hear from constituents needing your services; they feel they can no longer rely upon Air Canada to travel to other locations easily.

The London International Airport services a much larger community other than London. Consider that the surrounding region is home to well over 1.5 million people and the airport is a significant hub that would service the counties of Elgin, Middlesex, Kent, Lambton, Oxford, Perth and major cities like Sarnia, St. Thomas, Strathroy, Chatham, Stratford, Woodstock and London itself.

Of course, during the pandemic, there was a reduction in the number of flights operating from London Airport. However, despite the need and demand for the service now, the volume of flights remains low.

Currently, Air Canada only offers 4 flights from London to Toronto and 2 flights to Montreal, and we have been told this will be reduced in the fall to 3 flights daily to Toronto. This reduction not only affects the convenience of travellers but also has a significant impact on the livelihoods of local workers who depend on the airport for employment.

In fact, we had hoped we would all see the return of the daily direct flight from London to more locations across Canada.

The aviation industry plays a vital role in the economic growth of the region, and it is crucial to ensure the availability of flights to support local businesses and tourism. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to the aviation industry. However, we believe that it is essential for airlines to work collaboratively with local authorities and stakeholders to find innovative solutions that balance safety measures with the need for economic recovery. By doing so, we can protect the jobs of local workers and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.

We must work together to ensure mutual benefits to the local economy but also provide travellers with more options and flexibility when planning their trips. Furthermore, we encourage your airline to prioritize the employment of local workers at London Airport. By investing in the skills and expertise of the local workforce, you can contribute to the growth and development of the community. This will not only ensure the availability of qualified personnel but helps to build local economies as well.

We understand that these are challenging times for the aviation industry, however, we firmly believe that by working together, we can find solutions that benefit both the airlines, the workers and the local community.

We would like to commend your airline for its exceptional service and commitment to providing reliable air travel in years past. We have always appreciated the convenience and efficiency of your flights and the stellar standards of those who work for Air Canada.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our concerns. We look forward to hearing from you on how we can continue to work together to ensure the well-being of our communities and our country.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Mathyssen Member of Parliament London-Fanshawe

Dave Epp Member of Parliament Chatham-Kent-Leamington

John Nater Member of Parliament Perth-Wellington Lianne Rood Member of Parliament Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

Karen Vecchio Member of Parliament Elgin-Middlesex-London

Arielle Kayabaga Member of Parliament London West

Peter Fragiskatos Member of Parliament London North Centre Marilyn Gladu Member of Parliament Sarnia-Lambton

CC: Scott McFadzean, CEO London International Airport