In the wood-paneled conference room of Vancouver’s Trade and Convention Centre, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech delivered an impassioned rebuke of Canada’s current aviation policy landscape. “It is fundamentally wrong to treat air travel as a luxury,” von Hoensbroech declared to a packed audience, challenging the prevailing regulatory framework that he claims is driving up costs for Canadian travelers.
The airline executive’s address to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade didn’t mince words about the obstacles facing Canada’s aviation industry. Von Hoensbroech pointed to a troubling pattern: Canadian airports are losing approximately two million passengers annually to competing U.S. facilities across the border. This “leakage,” as industry insiders call it, represents not just lost revenue but a significant economic handicap for Canadian businesses and communities.
“When we impose taxes and fees that make travel prohibitively expensive, we’re not just taxing luxury—we’re taxing economic opportunity and connection,” von Hoensbroech argued. His data showed that government-imposed costs now account for nearly 40% of airfare prices in Canada, a burden that falls directly on consumers already struggling with inflation.
The WestJet leader’s critique extends beyond just fee structures. He highlighted the “extremely expensive” airport infrastructure in Canada, questioning whether such lavish facilities truly serve travelers’ needs or simply drive up operational costs. “Do we need marble floors and high-end retail in our terminals, or do we need affordable access to air travel for all Canadians?” he asked.
WestJet has responded to these challenges by refocusing its business strategy toward Western Canada, where the airline has historically maintained its strongest presence. This strategic shift comes as the company faces intense competition from both established carriers and emerging ultra-low-cost airlines.
Industry analysts at CO24 Business note that von Hoensbroech’s criticisms align with long-standing concerns from consumer advocacy groups about Canada’s aviation costs. Transportation economist Martin Ferguson told CO24, “Canadian travelers face some of the highest air travel costs in the developed world, and there’s growing evidence this is hampering economic growth, particularly in regional markets.”
The timing of these comments is particularly significant as the federal government considers policy changes that could reshape the aviation landscape. Transport Canada has initiated consultations on potential reforms to airport governance and fee structures, though concrete proposals have yet to emerge.
For travelers like Vancouver resident Melissa Chen, these high-level policy discussions translate to real-world consequences. “I regularly drive to Seattle to catch flights because it saves my family hundreds of dollars, even accounting for gas and parking,” she explained. “Something seems broken in that equation.”
The WestJet CEO’s call for change represents more than just corporate positioning—it taps into a growing frustration among Canadian travelers who have watched airfares climb while service levels remain inconsistent. As covered in recent CO24 Breaking News, post-pandemic travel recovery in Canada has lagged behind other countries, with price sensitivity cited as a major factor.
Von Hoensbroech closed his address with a challenge to policymakers: “The question isn’t whether we can afford to reduce these barriers to air travel—it’s whether we can afford not to.” For a country with Canada’s vast geography, that question may be more pressing than ever.
