Will Allow Any Number Of Carriers To Operate Between The Two Countries

Canadians rely on a robust aviation industry with diverse international air services. Growing Canada's air transport relationships allows airlines to provide passengers and businesses with the air travel options they need to support their families and the economy.

The Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport (pictured), announced last week the successful conclusion of a new Open Skies-type air transport agreement between Canada and the United Kingdom. The new agreement will allow any number of Canadian and British air carriers to operate between both countries, and gives those airlines full flexibility on route selection (including via third countries), frequency of service, and pricing. The agreement also includes unrestricted rights for all-cargo services as well as code-share services (when an air carrier sells seats on a flight operated by another carrier).

The new agreement will take effect when the United Kingdom is no longer covered by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement.

"The United Kingdom is one of our largest air travel markets as well as a key trading partner and valued ally. I am pleased with the conclusion of this Open Skies-type agreement, which will ensure that air services continue uninterrupted when the United Kingdom is no longer covered by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement," Minister Garneau said. "This agreement is an expression of our robust long-standing air transport relationship and it will continue to support tourism, trade and investment between Canada and the United Kingdom."

"The Canada-UK trading relationship is at the core of our DNA as a trading nation. As Canada's largest trading partner in Europe, the successful conclusion of negotiations of this agreement is a great example of how our relationship will continue to flourish," said The Honorable James Gordon Carr,
Canada's Minister of International Trade Diversification. "It reinforces confidence for millions of friends and families travelling between our two great nations and ensures that Canadian exporters will continue to benefit from critical air transport services across the Atlantic for their goods and services."

"The U.K. is Air Canada's largest single international market. This agreement is important as it provides our airline, and the 2 million Air Canada customers we carry each year between the two countries, certainty that our operations will be uninterrupted by Brexit. We applaud both governments for their foresight in making advance preparations to ensure the stability of this vital market," said Ferio Pugliese, Senior Vice President, Regional Markets and Government Relations at Air Canada.

(Source: Transport Canada and Air Canada news releases. Image from file)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca/en/transport-canada.html, www.aircanada.com