As we celebrate Independence Day and Canada Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation has taken a strong stand in defending a fair marketplace for U.S. airlines and their workers by denying Norwegian Air UK’s (NAUK) foreign air carrier permit exemption application.

NAUK’s employment structure for its pilots and flight attendants is unclear as is its potential effects on U.S. jobs and the international airline industry.

The United States and Canada must continue to enforce their international aviation trade policies to make certain that foreign airlines’ business plans will not threaten fair competition in the future.

This week, Canada’s transportation regulatory agency, Transport Canada, launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with shining a laser at an aircraft. Transport Minister Marc Garneau introduced the “Not a Bright Idea” campaign on Tuesday at a press conference in Toronto. 

As wildfire ravaged Fort McMurray in northern Alberta, Canada, the pilots and staff of Canadian North Airlines mobilized to safely and efficiently transport people (and many four-legged friends) from Northern Alberta to Edmonton. The fire has destroyed more than 1,700 homes/buildings and forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents—the largest mass evacuation in the history of Alberta.

Last week, ALPA published a white paper outlining top policy priorities for ensuring that Canada’s airline industry maintains the highest safety and security standards while continuing to enhance efficiency, contribute to the national economy, and provide jobs for Canadian workers.

The white paper, titled “State of Our Skies Canada,” detailed several key policy recommendations that will assist in promoting aviation safety and security, as well as fostering careers for Canadian workers, now and in the future.

On April 29, ALPA will host a discussion in Ottawa on the state of air transport in Canada as part of its Air Safety Organization’s one-day symposium series. Industry experts will gather to discuss the need for real policy change within Canada’s air transport system and how to advance several key issues impacting Canadian aviation.