Province aiming to help Alberta become Canada’s next aviation hub
The Ministry of Advanced Education is supporting Alberta’s growing aviation industry by investing more than $11 million over three years in Budget 2023.
Provincial officials say Alberta continues to be the economic engine of Canada, and Alberta’s government says it is focused on even more job creation and diversification. Last fall, Alberta’s government says it signed a memorandum of understanding with WestJet Airlines, recognizing the importance of Alberta’s aviation industry and its contributions to the economy.
According to government officials, part of the framework of the MOU included a commitment to address critical skilled labour shortages currently faced by the aviation industry. Alberta is home to the second-largest Canadian airline, which operates almost 800 flights carrying 70,000 passengers daily. These numbers are expected to double over the coming years, say provincial officials.
As a result, Alberta’s government says it is committed to growing and diversifying its aerospace, aviation and logistics sectors. Officials say this new investment of $11 million includes: