Ottawa Approves Air Canada’s $190 Million Transat Purchase

Tails of Air Transat and an Air Canada aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, in Montreal, on April 8, 2020. Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press/File photo

Canada’s travel landscape could soon change after the federal government approved Air Canada’s $190-million purchase of Transat A.T., after COVID-19 diminished the deal’s value.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced the approval Thursday evening just days before the deal’s Feb. 15 deadline, saying the government concluded the purchase is in the public interest.