The EU and Canada Agree on an Air Transport Deal

(New Europe)

The European Union (EU) has completed several aviation agreements, including a comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with Canada, which will allow unlimited access to Canadian cargo operators and commercial airliners, and vice versa. Air carriers will also be able to pick up traffic in each partner’s territory and continue to a third country as part of a service to or from their home territory. All 27 EU member states signed the agreement.

Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, said: “Our government has moved at an unprecedented pace since 2006 to negotiate or enhance existing air travel agreements with other countries, and we are proud to now be signing our largest ever with the European Union. For the first time, Canadian air carriers will be able to access and expand into all EU member states, and EU carriers will be able to expand into Canada. The result will be better air travel choices and new opportunities for Canadian businesses by 2010,” Tax-News.com reported.

The EU is Canada’s second-largest bilateral aviation, trade and investment market. In 2008, Canadian exports to the EU totaled $52.2 billion, an increase of 3.9% from 2007. “This comprehensive air transport agreement will help boost Canada’s economy by creating new jobs, expanding our commercial links and building connections for our citizens,” said Stockwell Day, Canada’s Minister of International Trade. Read more here.