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Aviation is essential to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from an efficient and competitive Canadian air industry.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, has announced a modernized and expanded Canada-Thailand air transport agreement that allows any number of Canadian and Thai airlines to serve any city in Canada and Thailand.
The new agreement, which replaces the existing 1989 agreement, establishes an allowance of 21 flights per week for each country. It also enhances rights that allow airlines to extend Canada-Thailand services to third countries (otherwise known as fifth freedom rights) on up to seven of the 21 weekly flights.
In addition, the new agreement enhances previously existing code-share rights (when an air carrier sells seats on a flight operated by another carrier) and modernizes aviation safety and security articles as well as doing business provisions.
The new agreement was reached under Canada’s Blue Sky Policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services. Pending the completion of formal ratification procedures, the agreement is being applied on an administrative basis to allow carriers to begin planning new air services immediately.
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping the Canadian air industry increase its access to international markets,” said Garneau. “An expanded agreement with a growing international air transport market like Thailand not only benefits our air sector, but also Canadian businesses, shippers and travellers who will now have more options.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade added, “Expanded air transport links are yet another sign of the growing ties between Canada and Thailand, which contribute to deepening our trade relationship. Our government is committed to facilitating the movement of goods, services and people to help Canadian businesses expand, compete and succeed in markets around the world.”
Quick Facts:
- In 2016, Thailand was Canada’s 29th largest air travel market;
- Thailand is the 100th partner country that Canada has negotiated with under the Blue Sky Policy;
- Thailand is a member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As a group, ASEAN ranks as Canada’s sixth largest merchandise trading partner; and
- This year marks the 40th anniversary of Canada’s status as a Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
