Record year for Canadian international air transport relations - Government of Canada wraps up an already successful year with four new international air transport agreements

OTTAWA, Dec. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Transport Canada / Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

The Government of Canada is pleased to announce it has successfully concluded air transport negotiations with Azerbaijan, Burundi, Haiti and Togo, resulting in new and expanded air transport agreements between Canada and these countries.

The expanded agreement with Haiti, which builds on the 1978 Bilateral Air Transport Agreement, allows multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services. It also provides air carriers the ability to introduce new prices more quickly, giving them greater flexibility to respond to consumer demand.

The new agreements with Azerbaijan, Burundi and Togo allow for more convenience for travellers through code-sharing services. Code-sharing occurs when an air carrier sells seats on a flight operated by another carrier, allowing it to expand its network and product offerings.

These agreements, achieved under Canada's Blue Sky Policy, aim to promote a competitive air transport industry that meets the needs of travelling Canadians and businesses. The new rights are immediately available to carriers to use based on their own commercial considerations.

Today's announcement brings the total number of new or expanded international air transport agreements Canada has announced with various countries to an unprecedented 26 for the 2013 year.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has announced 26 new or expanded international air transport agreements in 2013 - the most ever in a single year.
• Under Canada's Blue Sky Policy, the Government of Canada has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements covering more than 80 countries.

Quotes

"With a record 26 international air agreements announced in 2013, Canada's skies have never been more open to airline competition."
Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

"These agreements are yet another example of how our government's broad and ambitious pro-trade plan is getting results. The expansion of air transport relationships goes hand in hand with opening new markets around the world, and supports Canada's Global Market Action Plan."
Ed Fast
Minister of Trade

Associated Links

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h005e-7041.htm

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2013/05/22/framework-expanded-and-modernized-air-transport-agreement-peru

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2013/07/04a.aspx

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h111e-7327.html

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h127e-7368.html

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h130e-7374.html

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2013/10/06/pm-announces-amended-canada-malaysia-air-transport-agreement

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h169e-7453.html

SOURCE: Transport Canada

For further information:

Ashley Kelahear
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874

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