OTTAWA - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the approval of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to participate in the international air cargo transshipment program. The program allows air cargo to be moved through the airport for shipment to third countries, allowing it to seek new market opportunities and further develop its air cargo activity.
"Our government is pleased to have the international air cargo transshipment program in place," said Minister Cannon. "The Halifax Stanfield 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 Halifax, stored temporarily, and then flown to a European destination. Similarly, international air cargo could also arrive from overseas and then be shipped by rail or road from Halifax to the United States.
"Our economy and standard of living depend heavily on exports and imports," said the Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of Defence and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. "This is another signal by our government to our trading partners that Canada is open for business. This program will improve the flow of goods and provide major economic benefits to the Greater Halifax area and the rest of the country."
"We are pleased to be part of the air cargo transshipment program," said Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority. "Participation in this program will greatly enhance Halifax Stanfield International Airport's air cargo program and development of the region's Atlantic Gateway strategy."
The program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any foreign air carrier to use Halifax Stanfield 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 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), Calgary (2007), and Abbotsford, Vancouver, and Moncton (2008). The program is also being introduced at Toronto Pearson International Airport and at Prince George 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 market-oriented Blue Sky international air policy.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
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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