Last weekend, there was a travel fair at Kelowna International Airport promoting international travel from the local airport.
My concern is with travel within Canada, and specifically the high cost of domestic travel.
For example, I looked for a flight to Montreal on April 2 and a return flight April 23.
Air Canada showed five to six dates either side of my request and WestJet three to four dates.
I selected the lowest fares for each period, which were $670 return for AC and $676 for WJ (all fees and taxes included).
For the same dates, I could fly to Miami for $676 on both carriers.
Also, while the distance is shorter, I could fly to Los Angeles for $390 to $608.
I would much rather spend my money domestically.
I suggest that if regulators could reduce or eliminate the taxes for domestic flights, the federal treasury would easily recoup the money through the GST on my hotel, food and other expenses.
As a side note, I could fly from Spokane, Wash., certainly not a major U.S. airline hub, to Montreal for $466.
That's 31 per cent less than from Kelowna.
Don Henderson,
Kelowna