The voice of Canada’s airports.
Monday, April 30, 2007 -
Canada’s Airports Hail Open Skies with Ireland
New air service agreement a good first step
to an European Union-wide Open Aviation accord
OTTAWA (April 30, 2007) – The Canadian
Airports Council today welcomed the federal government’s announcement that it
has concluded a new Open Skies agreement with Ireland, hailing it as a good first step to an European Union-wide Open
Aviation accord.
“Ireland
is one of Canada’s most
important tourism destinations and a region with an important historical link
to Canada,”
said CAC President and CEO Jim Facette.“Open Skies with Ireland is a natural way to increase trans-Atlantic
tourism in our markets – a cross-oceanic trade that traces its beginnings back
to the very roots of our young nation’s history.”
As one of the 27 members of the EU, Ireland also would be included in a North
Atlantic Open Aviation Area that Canada and the EU will be pursuing
in liberalization talks over the coming months. The EU is Canada’s second biggest trading partner after
the U.S.,
with some $70.1 billion in imports/exports.
Traffic between Canada
and the EU has doubled between 2000 and 2005 and the EU is Canada’s second
largest source of tourists.More than
half of Canada’s overseas
tourists hail from Europe.
“Open Skies with Ireland is historic in its own
right, and an Open Aviation Area with the EU is a natural next step.It would be a boon for Canadian communities
and the travelling public by allowing for more choice and competition,” said
Mr. Facette.
About
the Canadian Airports Council
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports.Its 45 members encompass more than 150 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.
- 30 -