A Quebec Superior Court judge issued an order on August 4, 2026 that temporarily reinstated Air Liaison as an authorized carrier under the province’s Regional Air Access Program. The decision reverses a recent revocation of the airline’s carrier status, which the Quebec government had enacted after alleging that Air Liaison made false declarations in its application for the program.
The Regional Air Access Program is a provincial initiative that provides financial subsidies to airlines that operate scheduled service to remote and underserved communities across Quebec. Participation in the program requires carriers to meet specific eligibility criteria and to maintain accurate reporting to the government. When the allegations surfaced, the government moved to suspend Air Liaison’s involvement, halting the airline’s access to the subsidy stream while a review proceeded.
The court’s temporary restoration allows Air Liaison to resume flights under the program while the legal dispute continues. The ruling does not constitute a final judgment on the merits of the government’s accusations; rather, it preserves the airline’s operational status pending a full hearing. The judge indicated that the suspension could cause significant disruption to regional connectivity and that the airline should retain access to the subsidy until the matter is fully examined.
Officials from the Quebec government have not commented on the court order, and Air Liaison has not released a statement beyond confirming that it will continue to operate under the program while the case proceeds. The temporary measure is expected to remain in effect until a definitive ruling is issued, which could either confirm the revocation or restore the airline’s full participation permanently.
The decision highlights the importance of the Regional Air Access Program in maintaining air service to remote areas and underscores the legal complexities that can arise when government oversight and airline compliance intersect.