The Nunatsiavut Government acknowledges last week’s announcement of the Labrador Air Access Program, which includes a 30 per cent reduction in airfare rates throughout Labrador. While this initiative may appear to be a step toward addressing long-standing transportation inequities, First Minister Melva Williams is raising serious concerns about its lack of clarity, fairness, and timing.

“Over the past number of years, I have asked numerous Ministers of Transportation for more affordable air travel for Labrador Inuit and for a program such as this,” said First Minister Williams. “We’re pleased to see movement on this issue, but our communities still face the highest travel costs for air travel – not only in all of Labrador, but the entire province.”

Although the program provides 175 seats each week, it remains unclear how many will be designated for Inuit communities – all of which are inaccessible by road. This absence of transparency raises serious concerns about the program’s true intent and whether it will meaningfully serve the needs of Labrador Inuit, says the First Minister.

Under the program, a ticket from Rigolet to St. John’s is $1,388.75, compared to $628.64 from Happy Valley-Goose Bay and $636.69 from Wabush – both of which benefit from year-round road access. These figures highlight the systemic disadvantage faced by Labrador Inuit communities, where air travel is not a luxury but a necessity, says the First Minister.

“When rates are basically set the same for travel out of Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, why should Labrador Inuit communities still be forced to pay more?” said the First Minister. “We understand the challenges of doing business in northern remote areas, but that shouldn’t mean our people pay proportionately more. The Labrador Air Access Program is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough to address the needs of Labrador Inuit communities.”

The Nunatsiavut Government is calling for a greater discount for those travelling from Labrador Inuit communities, and for a transparent breakdown of seat allocations under the program. Without these critical details, the initiative risks reinforcing existing inequities rather than resolving them.

Media Contact:
Bert Pomeroy
Director of Communications
(709) 896-8582