No Q014/04
For release December 20, 2004

DIRECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
NOW OFFERED AT RIVIÈRE-ROUGE /
MONT-TREMBLANT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

MONT-TREMBLANT, Quebec - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that Rivière-Rouge / Mont-Tremblant International Airport will now be able to directly receive international flights in the Mont-Tremblant region.

"I am very pleased that Rivière-Rouge / Mont-Tremblant International Airport can now handle direct flights from American markets," said Mr. Lapierre. "This will enable us to develop new tourism opportunities, promote economic development and generate major economic benefits for the Laurentians region."

The arrival of these flights is made possible by an amendment to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Aerodrome Designation Regulations, published in the Canada Gazette, part II of last December 15. Among other things, this amendment allows Mont-Tremblant International Airport to be added to the list of 89 designated airports where the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is required to provide security screening services since its creation in 2002. It will come into force on December 23, 2004.

The amendments published last week also include the removal of the La Grande 3 and La Grande 4 airports in Quebec from the CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations, since there are no longer commercial passenger transportation services at these airports. Consequently, the government of Canada will propose measures to remove the La Grande 3 and La Grande 4 airports from the list of airports subject to the Air Travellers Security Charge, effective December 23, 2004.

Transport Canada has also worked closely with Mont-Tremblant International Inc. on improving airport safety. Work was done to lengthen and widen the runway, install a permanent lighting system, mark the runway and install marker boards. These improvements enabled the airport to meet the Department's high safety standards and obtain its airport certificate.

This is in addition to $ 475,000 in repayable financial assistance announced last November by Canada Economic Development to cover the costs of upgrading the runway and purchasing airport equipment.

"All this illustrates well the Government of Canada's commitment to working with communities on together finding ways of enabling small airports to support a wider range of commercial air services," added Mr. Lapierre. "The new security screening services and the certification of Rivière-Rouge / Mont-Tremblant International Airport will help enhance the safety and security of the travelling public."

- 30 -

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.