Labrador Air Access Program – Guidelines

Introduction

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of airfare affordability for residents of Labrador and the Northern Peninsula that travel within Newfoundland, as well as for residents of the North Coast of Labrador traveling to the hub of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The Labrador Air Access Program supports flights booked from Labrador, Blanc Sablon and St. Anthony airports, to St. John’s, Gander and Deer Lake for the purpose of personal or leisure travel.  North Coast residents also have the option to choose Goose Bay airport as their destination based on affordability of flights and the strong family ties that connect North Coast communities to the area.

To achieve this, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Labrador Affairs, has entered into a partnership with PAL Airlines to offer tickets at a reduced cost to air travelers looking to book personal travel to Deer Lake, Gander and St. John’s in Newfoundland and Happy Valley-Goose Bay for residents of the North Coast.

The terms and conditions of the program are subject to change, or cancellation, in the Department’s sole and exclusive discretion and without notice.

Who can apply?

Residents of Labrador and the Northern Peninsula, (Labrador Grenfell Zone Newfoundland Communities click here)

Applicable airports
To access discounted airfares the departure airport must be one of the following:

  • Wabush (YWK)
  • Churchill Falls (ZUM)
  • Goose Bay (YYR)
  • Blanc Sablon (YBX)
  • Rigolet (YRG)
  • Makkovik (YMN)
  • Postville (YSO)
  • Hopedale (YHO)
  • Natuashish (YNP)
  • Nain (YDP)
  • Anthony (YAY)

Program Eligibility

Tickets sold for an itinerary where the airport origin is Labrador, Blanc Sablon or St. Anthony, and the destination is St. John’s, Gander or Deer Lake (or Goose Bay airport if originating from the North Coast) are eligible.

Any travel to or from a destination outside the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is excluded from the program.

Eligibility:

  • An online application must be completed and submitted to the department seeking approval of travel at the discounted fare in accordance with these Guidelines at least 28 days prior to the proposed travel date. The application may be accessed here.
  • Applications for multiple travellers will only be accepted for travellers residing in the same household up to a maximum of five travellers total.
  • Payment for approved discounted seats will be made solely by the primary applicant.
  • Travellers must reside in Labrador or the Northern Peninsula as outlined by the Labrador Grenfell Zone Newfoundland Communities.
  • The ticket must be purchased by an individual for personal or leisure travel only.
  • All flights must originate from Labrador, Blanc Sablon or St. Anthony airports.
  • Two round-trip tickets per person, up to March 31, 2026. One-way tickets are eligible if the return date is undetermined.  The one-way ticket must originate from an airport in Labrador, Blanc Sablon or St. Anthony.
  • As this is a pilot program, all tickets must be booked by March 17, 2026 and travel must occur on or before March 31, 2026.

Ineligibility:

  • Tickets purchased or reimbursed, in whole or in part, by another program or purchased or reimbursed in full or in part by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador or another organization (e.g. Medical Transportation Assistance Program).
  • Tickets purchased for the purpose of work-related travel.
  • Travellers that do NOT reside in Labrador Grenfell Zone Newfoundland Communities.
  • Travel that has not been booked at least 14 days in advance of the travel date directly through PAL Airlines.

Subsidy Details

  • Tickets will be subsidized at a 30 per cent discount per originating airport. For this program, there are special discounted rates by airport and an additional 30 percent discount will be applied to approved travel.
  • At the time of booking, the primary applicant approved under the program will pay PAL/Air Borealis Inc. the subsidized ticket price under this program for all travellers included in the application. The subsidy is limited to two round-trip flights per person, with dates of travel up to March 31, 2026. One-way tickets must also equal the total of two round-trips and MUST originate from Labrador or St. Anthony airports (for Northern Peninsula residents) and dates of travel must be on or before March 31, 2026.
  • The number of subsidized seats will be limited per day and per airport.
  • Even where approved under the program, travellers MUST be aware of the possibility of seats not being available for their desired travel dates.
  • Travellers must also be aware that approved travel authorizations EXPIRE 30 days after being issued. If the travel authorization expires, the applicant will need to reapply under the program.

Application Process and Requirements

  • When completing the LAAP application, if your preference is to travel as a group, the primary traveller must fill out the form for all individuals looking to travel on the same flight (maximum 5, including applicant).
  • In Canada, travelers over the age of 18 MUST have a photo ID and traveler names on the Labrador Air Access Program application must include all names listed on the photo ID.
  • Labrador Air Access Program applications require current Medical Care Plan (MCP) numbers for ALL travelers, including those under 18 years of age. Expired MCP’s will not be accepted. A current Newfoundland and Labrador MCP card ensures that the traveller(s) is a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador. Applicants without a valid MCP would be required to demonstrate another proof of residency, such as a current utility bill or lease agreement, that includes their present residential address.
  • If booking a return flight, the form must include the preferred travel dates, including the departure and arrival airports. One-way travellers should include the anticipated return date. (Please note, this is only for reference and will not be booked with the initial application).
  • All applications (both return and one-way) MUST be submitted a minimum of 28 days in advance of the intended travel date to be eligible for assessment.

Applicants MUST complete a declaration of eligibility which includes but is not limited to the following:

  • That this information is collected by the department pursuant to section 61(1)(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 as such information relates directly to and is necessary to be used to determine eligibility in accordance with the Labrador Air Access Program criteria and conditions.
  • I declare that the information provided on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
  • I declare that I am a resident of Labrador or the Northern Peninsula, as outlined by the Labrador Grenfell Zone Newfoundland Communities.
  • I understand that this information is collected by the department pursuant to section 61(1)(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 as such information relates directly to and is necessary to, and will be used to   determine eligibility in accordance with, the Labrador Affairs Air Access Program criteria and conditions.
  • I understand that there are a fixed number of seats at the subsidized rate and that flights are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • I understand that despite listing all travelers for a group booking on one application, it does not mean that all travelers will be on the same flight and/or be approved for the subsidy.
  • I understand that the flight must originate in Labrador, Blanc Sablon or St. Anthony.
  • I declare that the ticket has not been subsidized through another program or purchased or reimbursed in full or in part by another organization.
  • I declare that the ticket is not being used for a work-related flight.
  • I understand that changes or cancellations must be made at least 72 hours in advance of departure and will require a fee of $50.00 plus HST for each passenger.
  • I understand that all tickets purchased under the program are non-refundable, the air carrier travel credit is only available for cancellations made by the traveler at least 72 hours in advance of departure, subject to the fee of $50 + HST.
  • I understand that the first checked bag is free, and the second bag is $40.00 plus HST.
  • I declare that I have not obtained, in the fiscal year from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, more than two return tickets (or equivalent one way tickets) under the Labrador Air Access Program.
  • I understand and agree that the information I submit may be subject to verification by department officials and that travel subsidized to me in error is subject to recovery by the department.
  • I authorize the department to contact and share information with the air carrier for the purpose of travel services received.

Following a review and determination by the Department of Labrador Affairs, the applicant will be notified by e-mail of application status.

  • If approved, the email will include a travel authorization number and instructions on how to book the discounted airline ticket(s) through PAL Airlines. The traveller(s) will be excluded from the Labrador Air Access Program for the duration of the program if they make inaccurate statements regarding his or her eligibility.
  • If an application is denied, the applicant will be advised via e-mail, along with the reason for denial.

How to Apply

Anyone applying for the subsidy must complete an application form.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for assistance for further clarification.

List of the eligible Labrador Grenfell Zone Newfoundland Communities can her found here.

Approval must be sought before travel occurs as travelers require a pre-authorization code to access the discounted rate through PAL Airlines.

Program Support

For further information, please contact Labrador Affairs at 1‐888-435-8111 or email LabradorAirAccess@gov.nl.ca.