Alberta Community Airport Program
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT AUMA advocate for the Government of Alberta to consider review and institution of an aviation fuel fee in order to attribute a portion of the cost of community airports directly to the user.
WHEREAS the Province of Alberta has established the Community Airport Program to assist with the funding of existing network of public use community airports;
WHEREAS the Community Airport Program provided $2 million in funding in 2018 to be divided between 72 paved airports within Alberta, but this funding is not secure and is determined within each Provincial Budget year;
WHEREAS the cost of funding a community airport far surpasses amounts provided by the Community Airport Program, leaving municipalities with a considerable funding shortfall; and
WHEREAS the burden of that funding shortfall is borne by the municipal ratepayer.
Community Airports are a necessary part of the transportation, economic and emergency services infrastructure which support the success of Albertan industry and residents. Community Airports support regional fire suppression, timely and safe medical evacuation operations, and are hubs supporting local economic development and linkage to our resource-based economy. A lack of adequate and secure funding jeopardizes the ability for these assets to be properly maintained in the most cost effective, long-term manner undermining the success of these facilities and the regional stakeholders which rely on an ever-increasing need for air-based mobility and linkages. This issue affects facilities throughout Alberta with over 72 paved airports competing for funds which are neither sufficient to address the costs of these programs nor secured in a manner which allows for efficient long-term planning and budgeting at the local and regional partnership level.
Summary of response received from Alberta Transportation, December 19, 2019:
Alberta Transportation reinforced that there is currently a 1.5 cent per litre aviation fuel tax in place in Alberta on domestic flights. The response reiterated the government's wish to maintain a competitive tax environment for Albertans and that there are no aviation fuel tax increases being considered at this time.
While the provincial government did not wish to add a fuel tax for the benefit of community airports in Alberta, it was a positive sign that Alberta Government increased the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program's (STIP) budget to $43 million in 2021. STIP is one of the only infrastructure programs that support community airports. Unfortunately this increase will not continue into future years.