No. H 037/08
For release - February 7, 2008
OTTAWA — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the approval of Abbotsford International Airport to participate in the international air cargo transshipment program. The program simplifies air carrier access to the airport for air cargo transshipment, allowing the airport to seek new market opportunities and further develop its air cargo transshipment activity.
"Our government is pleased to have the international air cargo transshipment program in place," said Minister Cannon. "The Abbotsford International Airport now has an additional tool to help develop its air cargo business, which will benefit the local economy."
The international air cargo transshipment program allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be flown from the United States into Abbotsford, stored temporarily, and then flown to an Asian destination. Similarly, international air cargo could also arrive from overseas and then be shipped by rail or road from Abbotsford to the United States, allowing the airport to take full advantage of the Asia-Pacific gateway and corridor.
"Canada's economic growth and standard of living still depend heavily on the export and import of products and resources. In fact, in 2006 alone, our exports and imports of merchandise stood at $458 billion and $404 billion respectively," said Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, B.C. "Today's announcement is yet another signal to our trading partners that Canada is open for business. Along with the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, this program will maximize the efficient flow of goods and provide economic benefits to Canada and local communities."
"This announcement is great news for Abbotsford," said Dave Kandal, Chair of the Abbotsford Airport Authority. "We are pleased to be part of the air cargo transshipment program. Participation in the program will greatly enhance the Abbotsford Airport's ability to become a key player in the air cargo industry and increase the economic opportunities to our region."
The program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use Abbotsford International Airport to transship international air 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 transshipments with other services for which they may be licensed.
Cargo security is addressed during the application process, and on an ongoing basis, in the context of broader security monitoring by Transport Canada and the operational activities of the Canada Border Services Agency.
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is a national initiative that will contribute to Canada's economic competitiveness, while also benefiting communities through which increasing volumes of trade must move. In its first eight months, Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative projects, valued at $2.2 billion, were announced across all four western provinces, including a federal contribution of almost $800 million.
The international air cargo transshipment program was introduced in 1982 at Mirabel Airport as part of a larger effort to improve the use of Montreal area airports. It has since been expanded to other airports, including Hamilton (1987), Windsor (1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004), Edmonton (2006) and Calgary (2007). The program is also being introduced at the Vancouver International Airport and at the Greater Moncton International Airport.
During the course of its international air policy review, Transport Canada determined that Canadian airports should be given the freedom to attract cargo transshipment activity where there are market opportunities, in line with its new market-oriented Blue Sky international air policy.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Cabinet du ministre des Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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