Feds expand air transport deal between Canada & UAE, allowing more flights

This story was updated on Wednesday, April 5 at 3:28 p.m. EST 

Transport Canada has concluded its expansion of an air transport agreement between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it was announced Wednesday (April 5).

The UAR is Canada's largest air transport market in the Middle East, Ottawa says. Expanding its air relationship allows airlines to introduce more flight options and routings, providing greater choice and jobs.

The new agreement allows 21 flights per week for each country, according to a press release.

This will permit 50 per cent more flights than the maximum number previously possible, facilitate new routes, and give airlines greater flexibility to accommodate changes in market demand.

Ottawa says the move will better accommodate the growing Canada-UAE air transport market, improve global connectivity, and support tourism and trade activity between the two countries.

"This expansion of the Canada-United Arab Emirates air transport agreement will improve Canada's international connectivity and enhance people-to-people and commercial links,” stated Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. “As we continue to support the recovery of the Canadian air industry, we are pleased that this expanded agreement will benefit a larger number of Canadian travellers, industry stakeholders, and workers in Canada's air sector.”

“This is good news for tourism and the creation of good middle-class jobs for Canadians."

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

This deal is also aligned with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy since the UAE serves as a hub for many flights to Asia.

"The Canada-UAE Business Council applauds the expansion of the Canada-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Transport Agreement,” said Nour Kechacha, president of the Canada-UAE Business Council, in a statement submitted to PAX.  

“Our members have been advocating for enhanced bilateral connectivity, to support the growing demand for commercial activity. The Canada-UAE Business Council looks forward to continuing to advance bilateral trade and investment across key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and energy.”

Air Canada has also commented on the update. 

"We support this announced expansion as the UAE is an important market. Given our partnership with @emirates this will open new opportunities to increase connectivity between our two countries and beyond #Dubai," the airline wrote on its Twitter account on Wednesday. 

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