No. H 135/07
For release July 6, 2007
OTTAWA — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today launched an international air cargo trans-shipment program at Calgary International Airport. The new program simplifies air carrier access to Calgary for air cargo trans-shipment and provides an additional incentive to use the airport's cargo facilities.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to announce the new trans-shipment program," said Minister Cannon. "This program provides the Calgary International Airport with an additional tool to help it develop its air cargo capacity, which will have a positive impact on the local economy."
Trans-shipment allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be flown from overseas into Calgary, stored temporarily, and then flown to a final Latin-American destination. Trans-shipped cargo could also be shipped by rail or road from Calgary to the United States.
"Canada's New Government has a comprehensive strategy to implement Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative," said Minister of International Trade David Emerson. "This air cargo
trans-shipment program is yet another example of how we are leveraging our geographical position as a crossroads between Asia and the North American market."
The new program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use Calgary International Airport as a trans-shipment point for cargo coming from and destined for points outside Canada. While in Calgary, the cargo may also be stored until it is transported to its final destination by air or other mode.
Canadian and foreign air carriers will now be able to use Calgary International Airport to trans-ship international cargo, even if these rights are not provided in Canada's bilateral air transport agreements. In addition, air carriers will be able to combine such cargo trans-shipments with other services for which they may be licensed.
Similar trans-shipment programs were introduced at Mirabel (1982), Hamilton (1987), Windsor (1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004) and Edmonton (2006).
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications,
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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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