Canada and China expand Air Transport Agreement

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced (09-Feb-2012) an expansion of the Canada-China Air Transport Agreement. The expanded agreement, which replaces the 2005 Air Services Agreement, will:

• Reduce restrictions related to the use of services from third country airlines (ie codesharing). This will support efforts by several Canadian and Chinese air carriers to expand their services and compete in priority markets;
• Enable airlines to react more quickly with pricing initiatives to address changing market conditions and face fewer government administrative conditions;
• Improve the viability of China Southern Airlines' existing service by allowing the airline to carry freight between Vancouver and Los Angeles together with freight between China and Canada.

The provisions contained within the expanded Air Transport Agreement are immediately available to airlines of both countries. Canada and China have also agreed to meet again in 2013 to consider further expansion of the agreement. [more - original PR]