Canadian airline cover extended yet again

The Canadian government is once more extending the deadline for covering third part war risks for the country’s air services.The coverage, which includes airlines, airports and other services such as NavCanada, was first introduced on September 22, 2001, as a temporary measure. The Transport Ministry was responding to the lack of available war risk liability coverage following the September 11 terrorist attacks, when most insurers cancelled such policies.The measure was intended to be a temporary one, and on December 6, the first extension was granted. With the cover set to run out again on March 21, the government is again renewing the coverage, this time until May 20.”The insurance market has not yet recovered sufficiently to re-introduce acceptable commercial coverage,” says Transport Minister David Collenette. “The Government of Canada’s intervention in the insurance market is only temporary; we are actively involved in discussions with other countries and the industry to find a permanent solution.” It is noted that coverage up to US$50 million is generally available on the commercial market, and the government coverage is only for limits in effect prior to the post-September 11 cancellation, less “whatever coverage is commercially available during the period of extension”.The British government has also extended its coverage of the airline industry there.Several initiatives have been bandied about by the airline industry in the past few weeks, including industry-driven insurance pools at both national and international levels.