Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 14 seconds.
Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, announced an expanded Canada-Mexico Air Transport Agreement on June 30, 2016, providing additional benefits for Canadian travellers and the air industry.
The expanded agreement builds on the existing Canada-Mexico Air Transport Agreement, negotiated in 2011. Canada and Mexico already enjoy a liberal air transport relationship, allowing any number of airlines from both countries to offer services between any Canadian and Mexican cities.
This expanded agreement adds to that by removing administrative requirements to make it easier for airlines to introduce new prices. Canadian and Mexican airlines will also be able to serve third countries when operating between Canada and Mexico.
For example, a Canadian airline could fly from Canada to Mexico via the United States, and carry passengers from the U.S. to Mexico, subject to the approval of Canada and Mexico.
The new agreement was reached under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.
“Mexico is one of our most important bilateral aviation partners with over 3.5 million passengers travelling on direct flights between Canada and Mexico in 2015,” said Garneau. “We are pleased to expand this relationship with additional flexibility for airlines to serve this growing market.”
“Canada’s commercial relationship with Mexico is strong and growing,” said Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Minister of International Trade.
“By making the movement of goods and people faster and easier, this expanded agreement will continue to facilitate trade and investment between our countries and help Canadian companies grow and succeed.”
Mexico is Canada’s largest international air travel market after the United States.
Under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, the government of Canada has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements covering more than 90 countries.
