Canada reaches expanded air transport agreement with the Philippines, making more flight options and routes possible

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 6, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today announced an expanded Canada-Philippines Air Transport Agreement that allows for more flights between the two countries. Minister Raitt, joined by Senator Tobias Enverga, made the announcement at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians in Mississauga, Ontario, home to a growing Canadian-Filipino community.

Reached under Canada's Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services, the newly expanded agreement with the Philippines offers:

• increased flights to any destination between our two countries;
• greater flexibility for airlines to offer air services using the flights of  airlines of other countries (i.e. code-sharing); and
• greater flexibility for airlines to introduce new prices to respond to consumer demand.

The new rights under this expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately.

Quick Facts

• There were close to 430,000 one-way passenger trips taken between Canada and the Philippines in 2013, up 22.5 percent since 2008.
• Under Canada's Blue Sky policy, the Government of Canada has concluded new or expanded air transport agreements with more than 80 countries.
• Last year marked a record year for Canada's Blue Sky policy, with 26 new or expanded international air transport agreements announced—the most ever in a single year.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping the Canadian air industry increase its access to international markets. An expanded agreement with a growing international air transport market like the Philippines not only benefits our air sector, but also domestic businesses, shippers and travellers who will now have more options."
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

"Our government is committed to providing Canadians businesses, including small-and-medium size enterprises, with the tools they need to expand and succeed abroad, and that includes expanded air agreements. When our businesses succeed abroad it creates jobs and prosperity right here at home."
The Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade

Associated Link

Additional and up-to-date information on the Blue Sky policy and its implementation can be found at: www.tc.gc.ca/bluesky.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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