Canada's Airports Welcome Expansion of China Transit Program

OTTAWA, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airports Council today welcomed the continued expansion of the China Transit Program (CTP) to eligible Chinese travellers with the addition of major transit hub airports Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Incheon. The CAC supports this positive step to increase the number of visa-free Chinese travellers transiting through Canadian airports en route to and from the United States.

"Increased transit traffic through our airports through programs like CTP and Transit Without Visa (TWOV) drives increased capacity and competition on existing routes and supports the development of new routes," said Daniel-Robert Gooch, president of the Canadian Airports Council. "We welcome the government's announcement today because the Chinese market is extremely important for Canada. We urge further expansion of the program to more countries and carriers with the eventual goal of TWOV for the international-to-international traveller segment."

Expansion of TWOV is important for the Canadian air transportation industry to be competitive globally. The Conference Board of Canada estimates that just 5% of Asia-U.S. transit traffic flowing through Canada's hub airports would result in 3,200 jobs, $270 million in GDP and $110 million in revenues to government.

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports community.  Its 48 members represent more than 100 airports, including all of the privately operated National Airports System (NAS) airports and many municipal airports across Canada. CAC members handle virtually all of the nation's air cargo and international passenger traffic, and 95% of domestic passenger traffic.

Canada's airports are independently operated by non-share capital corporations that are fully responsible for self-funding their operating and infrastructure costs. In 2012, Canada's air transportation industry had a $34.9 billion economic footprint, supported 405,000 jobs, and contributed more than $7 billion in federal taxes.

SOURCE Canadian Airports Council

Gregory Kampf, Canadian Airports Council, 613-562-0135 ext. 15, [email protected]