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News Release

Authority for Flights to Haiti Denied by the Canadian Transportation Agency on June 21, 2002

OTTAWA - July 3, 2002 - On June 21, 2002, the Canadian Transportation Agency denied an application by European Aviation Air Charter Limited for flights to Haiti, therefore allowing the charterer, Canada Air Charter, a full ten days to make alternate arrangements before the first flight scheduled for July 1, 2002.

Canada Air Charter failed to provide alternative transportation to travellers to Haiti despite the fact that some Canadian carriers advised the Agency that they were able to perform the proposed charter flight to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 1, 2002, during an exchange of pleadings between the applicant (European Aviation Air Charter) and interested parties.

European Aviation Air Charter Limited, a United Kingdom air carrier, holds an Agency licence issued on May 31, 2002, authorizing it to operate flights on a charter basis between points in Canada and points in the United Kingdom, but not to a third country. Operation to a third country requires additional authority, and is allowed in exceptional circumstances only.

Applications by foreign carriers to operate flights from Canada to a third country require that the Agency seek comments from Canadian carriers and the Agency's decision is based on the merits of each case. The onus is on the applicant seeking an exemption to convince the Agency of the merits of its application. The Agency has considered European Aviation Air Charter Limited's application in the context of Canada's Policy for International Passenger Charter Air Services where the interests of Canadian travellers are required to be balanced with the interests of Canadian carriers.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent federal administrative quasi-judicial tribunal whose procedure is governed by the rules of natural justice. The application of these rules will ensure that all parties receive fair and equitable treatment.

For more information, please contact:
Normand Bergeron, Communications Adviser
(819) 953-8926

Note to Editors: Backgrounder available upon request.

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