No. H 071/07
For release April 30, 2007
OTTAWA - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of
International Trade, today announced an Open Skies agreement with Ireland under
the Government of Canada's Blue Sky policy.
The previous bilateral agreement on air services with Ireland, which has been in
place since 1947, has been replaced by a new agreement permitting fully flexible
airline operations with strong aviation safety and security provisions.
"This new arrangement is a very positive development in our long-standing air
transport relations with Ireland. I am pleased to have this new agreement
between Canada and Ireland in place, " said Minister Cannon. "The removal of
market access restrictions will lead to the introduction of new air services
between our two countries, providing more choices for Canadian passengers,
shippers, air carriers and airports."
The new agreement will allow air carriers to provide services between any city
in Canada and Ireland. Canadian carriers will be allowed to use Ireland as a
platform to serve a third country and vice versa. It will also allow airlines to
react quickly to market conditions in the setting of their prices and frequency
of services.
"This new agreement will support the growth of the strong business ties between
Canada and Ireland, and will also facilitate travel for Irish tourists coming to
Canada," said Minister Emerson. "This agreement will also create more
opportunities for Canadian business to export and invest in Ireland."
The new agreement takes effect immediately. This is the third Open Skies
agreement signed as part of this Government's Blue Sky policy.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Karyn Standen
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade, Ottawa
613-992-7332
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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