OTTAWA, CANADA — As Canada’s aviation sector intensifies its push toward net-zero emissions, industry leaders are calling on the nation’s major political parties to articulate clear, actionable strategies for advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). In a letter dated April 7, 2025, the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC), and the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF) jointly outlined their concerns, emphasizing the need for robust policy frameworks to support SAF adoption and address systemic challenges in the sector.
The letter, addressed to individual leaders of Canada’s major political parties, highlights SAF as a cornerstone of the industry’s decarbonization strategy. It underscores the economic and environmental potential of SAF, noting its role as a “significant economic opportunity” and a vital link in the national supply chain. However, the signatories—Jeff Morrison, President and CEO of NACC, John McKenna, Acting President and CEO of ATAC, and Geoff Tauvette, Executive Director of C-SAF—stress that achieving these benefits requires overcoming significant hurdles in production, infrastructure, labour, and competitiveness.
One of the letter’s key questions focuses on SAF production itself. The group asks how each party would support the development and scaling of SAF, given its high production costs compared to conventional jet fuel and the need for investment in domestic feedstock supply chains. “Canada’s aviation industry wants to stay competitive by being made-in-Canada SAF,” the letter states, signaling a desire for localized solutions that reduce reliance on imports while fostering economic growth.
“In a country as vast as Canada, air travel is not a luxury, it is a necessary mode of transport to connect Canadians to each other and the world, it is an economic enabler, and it is a vital link in the national supply chain. However, it is also a system that is in need of reform and modernization.” – NACC, ATAC, C-SAF letter to Canada’s Major Political Parties
Infrastructure challenges also take center stage. The letter points to the $480 million in federal Crown rent paid annually by airports, a cost that disproportionately burdens smaller and remote facilities. This financial strain, the group argues, limits the ability of airports to invest in SAF-compatible infrastructure, such as storage and blending facilities. Morrison and McKenna, representing NACC and ATAC respectively, ask how parties plan to alleviate this burden and ensure equitable infrastructure investment across Canada’s diverse regions.
Labour shortages in the aviation sector, exacerbated by high training costs and limited access to student loans, are another focal point. The letter emphasizes the need for a skilled workforce to support SAF integration, from production to distribution. The letter calls for policies that address these shortages and support students entering the sector, ensuring a pipeline of talent to meet growing demand.
Finally, the group tackles the competitive disadvantage faced by Canada’s air travel system. High federal fees, taxes, and charges—coupled with a lack of harmonization with global competitors—make air travel costlier for Canadians. The letter asks how parties would address these issues to make air travel more affordable and accessible, thereby supporting the broader adoption of SAF through increased demand.
The timing of the letter, issued during an election campaign, underscores the urgency of these issues. Responses are directed to Morrison at NACC, with the group expressing hope for meaningful dialogue. As Canada’s aviation sector navigates its path to net-zero, the answers to these questions could shape the future of SAF and the industry at large.
