Chamber: 'No service, no support' for Air Canada

In the wake of Tuesday's announcement by Air Canada the airline would be closing eight stations at regional airports in Canada, including the one in North Bay, the local chamber of commerce has written a letter to the company expressing its "extreme disappointment."

In the same announcement, Air Canada revealed it is indefinitely suspending service on 30 domestic regional routes, including the North Bay–Toronto corridor flights. 

In the letter to Air Canada — which reported a net loss of $1.05 billion in the first quarter of 2020 — North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Peter Chirico warns of the consequences of the cuts.

"As we are well aware, Air Canada will be asking the Federal Government to support them as we come out of COVID-19 and that will be funded by the businesses/employees and taxpayers from North Bay and area. If there is no service, please do not expect us to support your future requests to the Federal Government."

Chirico also outlines the effect the Chamber feels the cuts will have on the local business community.

"With the closure and indefinite suspension of services, these concerns now create a barrier for future growth and attraction of industry to North Bay and surrounding communities," he writes.

See related story: Air Canada announcement 'devastating' news for Jack Garland Airport and local economy

The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce says in a release it sympathizes with the "challenges facing the airlines during the pandemic," while observing  "there are many other businesses also facing challenges."

Chirico offers the suspension of air travel from North Bay Jack Garland Airport after an 80-year business relationship "only made sense during the pandemic, as all citizens were asked to stay home and stay safe. With the more recent announcement by Air Canada that air service to Toronto Pearson Airport be discontinued, we question this decision."

"We are more concerned about the historic relationship with Air Canada and their outright cut to air service between North Bay (YYB) and Toronto (YYZ)," adds Chirico. "As such, it was appropriate to send the following letter to Air Canada representatives to seriously reconsider the impact this will have to our region and the long-term relationship and opportunity for Air Canada."

While observing the federal government has "come up with numerous programs to assist businesses during this difficult time" the local chamber also recognizes "many businesses needed to reduce costs while revenues drastically decreased during COVID-19.

"While some assistance does allow businesses to remain positive during this time, outright subsidies are not the only way to save businesses during this difficult time. Ultimately, this is a worldwide pandemic and many businesses are suffering. Those that are innovative or able to 'weather the storm' will see that we are #InThisTogether and will come out stronger in the end." 

The Chamber concludes by encouraging  "Air Canada to remain confident that there is opportunity to remain a carrier at YYB. What we really need to focus on is the future and how businesses will recover over the short and long-term of the pandemic."