6 May 2009
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement will benefit travellers and shippers by providing air carriers with more choices in terms of destinations, flights and routes, more direct services, and the potential for lower fares. The agreement is unique in terms of the breadth of its elements and its design. It provides for:
- increased traffic rights, initially allowing for unrestricted direct services (on an airline’s own aircraft or that of another carrier) between Canada and the EU, without any limitations on the number of flights operated or the prices to be offered. All-cargo airlines will also be permitted to operate to or from third countries on flights involving Canada or the EU.
- strong provisions related to safety, security and a competitive environment, reflecting the importance of these areas. In particular, both sides agreed to aim for deeper cooperation, such as eventual mutual recognition of safety standards and harmonization of approaches to aviation security.
- to the extent possible, additional flexibility for the commercial operating environment of airlines, such as stationing of airlines representatives, ground handling of aircraft and access to ground and marine modes of transportation associated with air services.
- the establishment of a joint committee that will facilitate cooperation, information-exchange, consultations and the overall implementation of the agreement.
The agreement also includes provisions regarding consumer interests, international cooperation, the environment, cooperation in the area of air traffic management, as well as the effective availability of airport and aviation facilities and services.
CANADA-EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety
The Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety will allow the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to accept certification of Canadian civil aviation products and services, reducing costs to Canadian companies and increasing competitiveness.
Aviation safety will be enhanced as the agreement commits both the EASA and Transport Canada to jointly resolve any unforeseen safety issues.
This agreement will allow the Canadian aviation industry to compete more successfully in the European market, a community of 27 countries, resulting in more opportunities for the trade of civil aviation products and services.
