CANADA AND CHINA EXPAND AIR SERVICES
Posted on 12/17/2015 | About China
Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, yesterday announced an expanded Canada-China Air Transport Agreement that allows for new air services between additional cities in both countries. The expanded agreement with China will increase the numbers of cities Canadian and Chinese airlines can serve from 12 to 18 in the other partner's territory.
The deal will allow airlines to provide greater choices for travellers and help support increasing tourism and trade activity. Reached under Canada's Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services, the expanded agreement builds on the 2005 Canada-China Air Transport Agreement, last amended in 2013. The new rights under this expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately. In 2014, China was Canada's fifth largest international air travel market - around 1.5 million passengers travelled on direct flights between the two countries.
China was also Canada’s second largest single-country trading partner. China is part of Canada's Blue Sky policy, under which the Government of Canada has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements with more than 85 countries. "The Government of Canada is pleased to build on our positive air transportation relationship with China through this expanded air transport agreement. The agreement is good news for both business and tourism and we look forward to keeping the momentum going with this important international partner in the future." Said Garneau. "As Canada's fifth largest international air travel market and second largest single-country trading partner, China is a very important bilateral aviation and trade partner with tremendous growth potential.
“Our government has committed to closer relations between Canada and China and this is only one example of how we can facilitate contacts between our countries." Said Chrystia Freeland Canada’s new Minister of International Trade.