The Manitoba Aviation Council, active in the 1960's and 1970's, was reactivated in 1995 by Barry MacIntosh and Stephen Blight, assisted by a score of dedicated volunteers. Barry and Stephen's contribution was recognized by the International Northwest Aviation Council with an award presented at MAC's March 5th, 2002 AGM. In fall 2000, MAC engaged Fred Petrie as Executive Director to transition MAC to a more proactive industry advocate. Today, MAC's membership data base numbers 276.

MAC's mission is to promote, facilitate, and protect the development of all facets of aviation in Manitoba. BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan all have active Councils that have provided many benefits to their aviation communities. MAC also works with NATA (Northern Air Transport Association) and the Northwest Ontario airports and air carrier groups, as well as cooperating with the national aviation associations.

While respecting the particular interests of other aviation related organizations in Manitoba, the Council strives to serve as an "umbrella group" to represent all groups, as well as interested individuals and businesses in specific aviation related matters.

Objectives

• To Promote the development and advancement of aviation in the Province of Manitoba
• To Promote and encourage education and training in aviation
• To represent Manitoba's aviation related interests at all government and industry levels and work with other provincial and US aviation councils on issues of concern.

Stay Informed

• How will changes to regulations affect you?
• What impact will new technologies have on the industry?
• Let us keep you informed. We will let you know what is going on in the aviation community locally, provincially and nationally. Our newsletter will keep you informed as to changing rules and regulations and how they will affect you. As well we will periodically report on new technologies, products and services.

 Membership Benefits

• Representation by provincial aviation industry advocate
• Participation as part of a unified group focused on the development of aviation in the province
• Information and advice on aviation matters
• Participation in seminars and conferences
• Affiliation with other aviation related groups and associations, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally
• Updates on aviation related issues and changes in the industry (Manitoba AVIATION is published semi-annually in the fall and spring)
• Newsletter (distributed monthly to members by email or fax)
• Member rate for any of the training seminars or courses

Aviation in Manitoba

The [University of Manitoba] Transport Institute assessed the economic impact and structure of commercial aviation in Manitoba. A mere hundred years after the invention of the aeroplane, this mode of transportation now provides a critical link in Manitoba's transportation network.

The air mode provides vital connections between remote northern areas and larger provincial centres. It also connects all Manitobans to international destinations via Winnipeg International Airport.

...the economic impact by commercial aviation to the province of Manitoba for the year 2001 was a contribution of $584 million to the gross domestic product, a total of 9, 257 person years of employment and labour income of $372 million.

The above was extracted from Bekker, J.J. and Prentice, B.E., 2003, The Contribution of Commercial Aviation to the Economy of Manitoba: An Economic Impact Assessment, Proceedings of the 38th Annual Conference of the Canadian Transportation Research Forum.