Canada airports encouraged by Singapore agreement, hope for open skies

Canada airports encouraged by Singapore agreement, hope for open skies The Canadian Airports Council on Wednesday said it was encouraged that the new Canada-Singapore air service agreement will create new air service opportunities between the two countries.
   'Although not an open skies agreement, Canada’s airports now have something on which to build,' CAC said in a statement. 'Pursuit of open skies is a key aim of the federal government’s new Blue Sky international air policy.'
   “The new agreement between Canada and Singapore opens to Canadian international travelers and shippers one of the world’s biggest transit hubs for flights through Asia-Pacific,” said Jim Facette, CAC president and chief executive officer. “Canada’s airports believe it will lead to new opportunities for air service between the two countries and increased competition to Asia-Pacific, but are disappointed that the Canadian government did not achieve an open skies agreement such as the ones it already has concluded with the U.S., Britain, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand.”
   Under the new agreement, any Canadian or Singaporean carrier will be able to fly between Singapore and any point in Canada without restrictions on frequency or capacity. The agreement also contains provisions for all-cargo service.
   According to Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in 2006 two-way trade between Canada and Singapore totaled $1.7 billion, and Singapore was the third-biggest destination for Canadian investment in Asia after Japan and Hong Kong.
   Changi Airport is served by 81 airlines operating some 4,220 weekly scheduled flights to 192 cities in 59 countries. Changi also is the ninth-busiest cargo airport in the world, handling 1.9 million tons.
   'An open skies agreement would have eliminated restrictions on pricing and allowed carriers from both countries to exercise 'fifth freedoms' — the ability to pick up passengers and carry them on to a third destination,' CAC said. 'Open skies is a key goal of Canada’s airports in upcoming talks with the European Union scheduled for later this month.'