The voice of Canada’s airports.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 -
A new, modern air service agreement seen to improve trade and tourism relations with Canada’s second biggest business partner
OTTAWA (Nov. 27, 2007) An informal coalition of groups representing the business, tourism and airports sectors today joined together in a united call on the federal government to seek an Open Skies agreement with Europe when it meets with European negotiators in Brussels starting today.
Backing Open Skies are the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, and the Canadian Airports Council.
“This agreement has tremendous potential for the Canadian economy,” said Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Perrin Beatty. “Building on the strengths of our transportation system by strategically implementing Canada’s Blue Sky international air policy, greatly benefits both Canadian companies and Canadians.”
“Giving travellers more options for getting to Canada will improve our competitiveness as a destination in an increasingly global tourism marketplace,” according to TIAC President and CEO Randy Williams. “An Open Skies agreement with the EU, Canada’s second largest tourism market, makes good economic sense.”
“Canada’s airports are gateways to the communities they serve and see tremendous potential for increased trade and tourism from an Open Skies regime,” said Canadian Airports Council President and CEO Jim Facette.
At issue is a new air services agreement regulating commercial air traffic between the European Union and Canada.An Open Skies regime between Canada and the EU would replace individual bilateral agreements between Canada and 19 individual members of the 27-member EU, which is Canada’s second biggest trading partner and source of tourists.
An Open Skies agreement would allow any Canadian or European carrier to operate between any points in the two markets.It would not allow domestic service by a foreign carrier (known as cabotage) but would eliminate restrictions on capacity, frequency and pricing.
According to a study launched by the European Commission, the number of passengers between the EU and Canada would increase from eight million now to 14 million by 2011. In addition, the EC estimates that an Open Aviation Area would generate consumer benefits of at least $110 million through lower fares and could create 3,700 jobs in the first year.
About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the national leader in public policy advocacy on business issues.Our goal is to foster a strong and competitive economic environment that benefits Canada and all Canadians. As the only national organization that speaks for more than 170,000 businesses from every Canadian region, we have a powerful, articulate and persuasive voice for business viewpoints nationally and internationally.
About the Tourism Industry Association of Canada
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is the national private-sector advocate for Canada’s $66.9 billion tourism sector. It performs a unique and pivotal role in ensuring the Canadian business and policy environment works for tourism, by communicating its importance to Canadians, advocating positive measures, and lobbying government for action.
About the Canadian Airports Council
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports.Its 49 members represent more than 180 airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most significant municipal airports in every province and territory. Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation’s air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic.They create well in excess of $30 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve.And more than 150,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.
For more information:
Katie Anderson
Director, Communications
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613.238.4000 ext. 231
kanderson@chamber.ca
Daniel-Robert Gooch,
Director of Communications
Canadian Airports Council
(613) 560-9302 ext 16
daniel.gooch@cacairports.ca
Susan Wong
Manager, Communications
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
(613) 238-9400
swong@tiac.travel