For the residents of the Skeena region, air travel is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline.We rely on flights for medical appointments, education, family visits, and business. Yet a recent search by Skeena News found a return flight from Terrace to Vancouver costing $1,232 — more expensive than many international flights. For comparison, a return flight from Vancouver to Las Vegas can cost as little as $204.

This is the result of a regional monopoly by WestJet and Air Canada, combined with federal policies that ignore the unique needs of rural communities. With no real competition, fares stay high year-round, isolating our communities and hurting our economy.

Families are forced to choose between visiting loved ones and paying their bills. Students pay more to travel within BC than some pay to travel across the world. Businesses lose opportunities because of the cost of face-to-face meetings. Patients face additional financial stress when travelling for critical medical care.

We demand action:

Federal government — Review and reduce rural airport fees and surcharges, create a rural air travel subsidy program, and reform competition rules to allow more carriers.
Municipal airport owners in Terrace, Prince Rupert, and Smithers — Explore lowering local fees, offer incentives to new airlines, and work together to lobby Ottawa.
WestJet and Air Canada — Publicly justify your pricing and commit to fairer fares for northern BC residents.
This is not about politics — it’s about fairness. It’s about making sure northern communities aren’t cut off because of corporate pricing strategies and outdated policies.

Sign this petition to join the #FairFaresSkeena campaign. We will deliver it to the Minister of Transport, our MP, our MLA, the municipal airport authorities, and the leadership of WestJet and Air Canada. Together, we can send a clear message: It’s time to make air travel fair and affordable for the Skeena region.