Aviation sector applauds Government of Canada decision to lift visa requirements for Mexican travellers

OTTAWA, June 28, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) and the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) welcome today's announcement by the Government of Canada to lift visa requirements for citizens of Mexico effective December 1, 2016. The decision to use the upcoming electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Mexican travelers will further expand economic ties between Canada and Mexico and supports the Government of Canada's priority to expand economic engagement in the Americas.

"This is great news. Lifting visa requirements for Mexicans in favour of the electronic travel authorization will mean more opportunity to expand business, trade and travel with an important partner," said Marc-André O'Rourke, Executive Director of the NACC. "Canada's major airlines recognize the importance of balancing the integrity of our immigration laws on one hand and the benefits associated with making it easier to visit and do business in Canada on the other hand. It is encouraging to see that Canada is taking steps to streamline its visa processes and find that balance", added O'Rourke.

"Canada and Mexico have a longstanding relationship, and this new development today will strengthen that partnership and further boost tourism and business opportunities in Canada," said CAC President Daniel-Robert Gooch. "Enabling low risk travelers from Mexico to use the electronic travel authorization is a good step in what we hope will be a broader, more modern approach to facilitating low-risk travelers from additional countries around the world."

Given the opportunities surrounding the upcoming Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), the NACC and the CAC encourage Canada to continue to take steps to continue to ease visa requirements where appropriate to grow investment, trade, and tourism.

About the National Airlines Council of Canada

The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) is the trade association representing Canada's largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. We promote safe, sustainable and competitive air travel through the development of policies, regulations and legislation that foster a world-class transportation system. Collectively, our member airlines carry over 50 million passengers annually, directly employ 46,000 people and create over 260,000 jobs.

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports community. Its 50 members represent more than 100 airports, including all of the privately operated National Airports System (NAS) airports and many municipal airports across Canada.

SOURCE National Airlines Council of Canada

For further information: Marc-André O'Rourke, Executive Director, National Airlines Council of Canada, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Josee Curry, Canadian Airports Council, 613-560-9302 ext. 15, [email protected]