OTTAWA — The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), the industry trade association representing Canada’s largest passenger air carriers, have welcomed the expanded Air Transport Agreement with Cuba.
Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, announced an expanded Canada-Cuba Air Transport Agreement that allows for more airlines to operate between the two countries.
The expanded agreement builds on the 1998 Canada-Cuba Air Transport Agreement, last amended in 2009. Reached under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services, the expanded agreement with Cuba will:
- allow any number of Canadian and Cuban airlines to offer services between the two countries;
- provide greater flexibility for airlines to offer air services using the flights of airlines from other countries (i.e. codesharing);
- provide greater flexibility for airlines to introduce new prices to respond to consumer demand; and
- strengthen safety and security provisions.
The new rights under this expanded agreement are expected to be available for use by airlines in the coming weeks.
“Canada’s major airlines welcome the expansion of the Air Transport Agreement with Cuba, one of Canada’s most important air travel markets,” said Marc-André O’Rourke, Executive Director of the NACC.
“This new agreement will create opportunities to further develop air services between the two countries while boosting trade, investment and tourism.”
The NACC supports a balanced air liberalization policy framework for Canada that ensures a level playing field and provides maximum reciprocal benefits for all stakeholders including consumers, communities, airports, the tourism industry and Canada’s airlines.
