Ottawa will block ‘unjustified price increases’ by private investors for air travel, transport minister says - Toronto Star
The federal government will use contracts to prevent 'unjustified price increases' that impact the cost of plane tickets when it sells off the operation of the country's four largest airports — including Toronto's Pearson — to private investors, Canada's transport minister says.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon speaks ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, during a visit to the Alstomplant in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Sept. 3, 2026.
OTTAWA — The federal government will use contracts to prevent “unjustified price increases” that impact the cost of plane tickets when it sells off the operation of the country’s four largest airports — including Toronto’s Pearson — to private investors, Canada’s transport minister says.
In an interview with the Star on Wednesday, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon stressed that Ottawa plans to keep ownership of the airports themselves, and is only looking to ink long-term deals that allow private investors to operate Pearson, the Vancouver International Airport, the Calgary International Airport and Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport.
He framed the changes as part of an overall air travel “modernization” effort, and downplayed concerns from labour unions, opposition parties and some Liberals that the plan will lead to higher costs.
MacKinnon acknowledged that bringing in private operators will introduce new incentives to make money, but said the government will take steps to rein in fee increases — like airport improvement fees that apply to every passenger — that show up on plane tickets.
