The voice of Canada’s airports.
Monday, March 12, 2007 -
U.S. Open Skies an Important Milestone
for Canada,
Canada’s Airports Say
Airports urge federal government to continue liberalization of air service
regimes
WASHINGTON (March 12, 2007) – The Canadian
Airports Council today hailed the signing of the new Open Skies agreement with
the United States an important aviation milestone for Canada, and urged the
government to continue its initiatives to liberalize Canada’s air service
regimes with other important trade, tourism and transit markets.
“Open Skies with the U.S. is an important achievement for Canada – One
that will provide Canadian airports and the communities they serve increased
opportunities to market themselves on the world stage,” said CAC President and
CEO Jim Facette. “Yet, for airlines to
take full advantage of the new freedoms afforded by Open Skies with the U.S., the
Canadian government must continue its important work of liberalizing air
regimes with third countries.”
Canada and the U.S.
on Open Skies announced the historic Open Skies agreement in November 2005
after a series of talks involving both governments and representatives from the
airline and airports sectors.The
agreement, which now comes into effect, removes bilateral restrictions on
pricing, alliances and will allow carriers from either side to carry passengers
on routes beyond the country to a third nation.
“As economic and social gateways for the communities they serve, Canada’s airports have an important stake in the outcome of bilateral air talks between Canada and foreign markets and played a valuable role in the talks that led us to today’s historic event,” said Mr. Facette.“In keeping with this government’s commitment to transparency in government, Canada’s airports would welcome the opportunity to again represent community interests during talks with other key markets in the coming months and years.”
The federal government committed itself to
sign more Open Skies-type agreements in its recently announced Blue Sky policy
on international air service.
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.
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