Canada expands air transport agreements with United Arab Emirates, Egypt

Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau today announced the successful conclusion of expanded air transport agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, according to Trade Arabia.

From visiting friends and family to getting goods to markets around the world, Canadians rely on a robust aviation industry with diverse international air services, said senior Canadian officials.

Expanding Canada’s existing air transport relationships allows airlines to improve their service offerings, which means more options and convenience for passengers and businesses, they stated.

Garneau  said: “These expanded agreements were reached under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.”

“Under the Blue Sky Policy, the government has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements covering 104 countries,” he stated.

The expanded Canada-UAE air transport agreement allows each government to allocate 68 per cent more capacity among its designated air carriers (i.e. the number of seats that carriers can sell).

This agreement also now contains four dedicated frequencies for all-cargo flights for the first time, said the minister.

“The Canada-Egypt air transport agreement has been expanded to allow designated airlines to operate up to seven passenger flights per week, up from four. In addition, designated airlines now can serve any city in the other country’s territory,” stated Garneau.

The new rights under the expanded agreements are available for use by airlines immediately, said the Canadian minister.

“These expanded air transport agreements with Egypt and the UAE are a positive development for air transport relations between our countries. We are pleased to expand these relationships with additional flexibility for airlines to serve these growing markets,” he stated.

“These will continue to facilitate tourism, trade and investment between Canada and these countries and help our businesses grow and succeed,” he added.

Canadian Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr said: “Our commercial relationships with Egypt and the UAE are strong and growing. These expanded agreements will help Canadian firms grow and diversify their markets by making the movement of goods and people faster and easier.”

Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Egypt was valued at $1.3 billion in 2017.

In 2017, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the UAE totalled $1.8 billion, he added.