No. H 170/07
For release September 7, 2007

CANADA REACHES BLUE SKY AGREEMENT
WITH NEW ZEALAND

OTTAWA — An Open Skies air transport agreement between Canada and New Zealand was announced today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade.

"I am pleased with the new air transport agreement with New Zealand, which is in line with Canada's Blue Sky international air transportation policy," said Minister Cannon. "This agreement marks another step forward in providing a greater range of options for Canadian travellers, shippers and businesses."

The new agreement allows any number of air carriers from either country to operate passenger and all-cargo scheduled air services as frequently as desired, to and from any point in either country's territory. Air carriers will also be able to pick up traffic in each other's territory and continue to a third country as part of a service to or from their home territory.

The agreement also provides for enhanced all-cargo rights, allowing stand-alone cargo services between each other's territory and third countries, and includes a fully flexible tariff regime.

"Canada is in tune with the needs of business and is taking action to address the evolving nature of air carrier services," said Minister Emerson. "Canada's new air agreement with New Zealand will improve access for business travellers, support more flexible air services and help increase the trade potential between our two countries."

Once ratified, the new air transport agreement between the two countries will replace the 1985 agreement currently in force.

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