Competition Bureau Orders Air Canada and WestJet to Provide Information for Market Study

The Competition Bureau has obtained two court orders requiring Air Canada and WestJet Airlines Ltd. to provide information for its market study into competition in Canada’s airline industry. This marks the first use of the Bureau's new information-gathering powers in a market study. The orders, granted by the Federal Court, mandate the companies to produce records and respond to written questions relevant to the Bureau’s investigation.

The information requested includes:

• Analyses of the state of competition in the airline sector, including various sources of competition.
• Analyses of barriers to entry in the sector, including government policies and airport access.
• Key performance metrics from before the pandemic to recent years.
• Agreements with airports and shareholdings in other airlines providing domestic air passenger services.

The Bureau's aim is to better understand competition in the domestic airline industry and to reach informed, evidence-based findings in its market study.

The airline market study was launched on July 29, 2024, to examine competition issues in the industry and explore potential changes to enhance competition in passenger air travel in Canada. It is important to note that this study is not an investigation into specific allegations of wrongdoing. However, should the Bureau uncover evidence of illegal activities, it will take appropriate action.