No. H 232/08
For release - December 4, 2008
OTTAWA - Canada's Transport Minister, John Baird, today announced the designation of Air Transat to operate twice weekly scheduled flights between Canada and Panama, and WestJet to operate scheduled flights between Canada and Panama on a weekly basis.
"Air Transat's and WestJet's respective designations will give Canadians more choice in international travel," said Minister Baird. "At a time of global economic uncertainty, I'm pleased to see this kind of growth in Canada's airline industry."
Under the provisions of Canada's international air transportation policy, all Canadian air carriers may apply to the Minister for designation to operate scheduled international air services. These latest designations were made possible by the bilateral air transport agreement between Canada and Panama concluded in June 2008.
The agreement permits each country to designate any number of airlines for the operation of scheduled air services to and from Canada. In addition, airlines from each country can serve any point in the other's territory.
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Contacts:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Transport Minister John Baird, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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