Canada asks for opinions on ôopen skiesö policy
Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Lawrence Cannon, Wednesday requested stakeholder views on a consultation document (available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/ace/acea/menu.htm ) outlining the country’s international air transportation policy.
Canada's current approach is to gradually reduce restrictions in air agreements. Under the proposed new policy, the focus would be to pursue the negotiation of 'open skies' agreements when it is in Canada’s overall interest, Transport Canada said.
The transport agency also wants stakeholder opinion on longer-term issues that are not part of the proposed policy, including:
* A comprehensive Canada-European Union air agreement.
* A review of ownership and control regimes of foreign air carriers.
* Movement towards the creation of a North American aviation market.
* The adoption of a multilateral approach to some negotiations, which means one agreement with a group of countries.
“More open air agreements between Canada and other countries should encourage the development of new markets and services, resulting in greater choice for travelers and shippers,” Cannon said.
Transport Canada will consider stakeholder comments during the consultation phase, which ends Nov. 8. Stakeholders will have until the end of December to provide comments separately on the longer-term issues outlined.