Canada's Trudeau says airlines will survive, Atlantic region frets about route cuts

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on Thursday insisted Ottawa would ensure airlines survived the COVID-19 pandemic even as industry advocates said that without a promised aid package many routes would die, crippling the economy. Air travel is critical for Canada, the second largest country by area and one which stretches across six time zones. For many communities, flights are the only reliable option. The government and major airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet have been in talks for months about an aid package but insiders say the negotiations are going slowly. “Canada needs and will have a vibrant competitive airline industry after this is all done. That is one of our fundamental understandings,” Trudeau said. “We’re having great discussions with them (the airlines), we’re continuing to, but we’re just needing to make sure that the package is right for Canadians, right for the industry and right for the future.” Air Canada has slashed bases and routes, particularly in the Atlantic region, prompting fears about the impact if the services do not return.<br/>