Government of Canada wraps up an already successful year with four new international air transport agreements

December 23, 2013 – Ottawa –

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.

By:news.gc.ca