New international air cargo trans-shipment programme for Calgary International Airport
Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, launched an international air cargo trans-shipment programme
at Calgary International Airport on 06-Jul-07. The new programme simplifies
air carrier access to Calgary for air cargo trans-shipment and provides an additional
incentive to use the airport's cargo facilities.
"This programme provides the Calgary International Airport with an additional tool to help it develop its air cargo capacity, which will have a positive impact on the local economy," said Minister Cannon.
Trans-shipment allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be flown from overseas into Calgary, stored temporarily, and then flown to a final Latin-American destination. Trans-shipped cargo could also be shipped by rail or road from Calgary to the United States.
"Canada's New Government has a comprehensive strategy to implement Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative," said Minister of International Trade David Emerson. "This air cargo trans-shipment program is yet another example of how we are leveraging our geographical position as a crossroads between Asia and the North American market."
The new programme enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use Calgary International Airport as a trans-shipment point for cargo coming from and destined for points outside Canada. While in Calgary, the cargo may also be stored until it is transported to its final destination by air or other mode.
Canadian and foreign air carriers will now be able to use Calgary International Airport to trans-ship international cargo, even if these rights are not provided in Canada's bilateral air transport agreements. In addition, air carriers will be able to combine such cargo trans-shipments with other services for which they may be licensed.
Similar trans-shipment programmes were introduced at Mirabel (1982), Hamilton (1987), Windsor (1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004) and Edmonton (2006).