Expanded Canada-United Arab Emirates air transport agreement means air capacity grows by 68%

The Canada-United Arab Emirates air transport agreement has been expanded, allowing designated airlines to operate up to seven passenger flights per week, up from four.

In addition, designated airlines now can serve any city in the other country's territory.

These expanded agreements with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates were reached under Canada's Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.

Emirates will introduce two additional flights to its Toronto (YYZ) service starting on Aug. 18, 2018, increasing their existing schedule from three flights to five flights per week.

READ MORE: Emirates will fly to YYZ 5 times a week starting Aug. 18

Available for use immediately

The expanded Canada-United Arab Emirates air transport agreement allows each government to allocate 68 per cent more capacity among its designated air carriers (i.e. the number of seats that carriers can sell). This agreement also now contains four dedicated frequencies for all-cargo flights for the first time.

The new rights under the expanded agreements are available for use by airlines immediately.

"These expanded air transport agreements with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are a positive development for air transport relations between our countries," said the Honourable Marc Garneau, Canada's Minister of Transport. "We are pleased to expand these relationships with additional flexibility for airlines to serve these growing markets. These expanded agreements will continue to facilitate tourism, trade and investment between Canada and these countries and help our businesses grow and succeed."

Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Egypt was valued at $1.3 billion in 2017. Last year, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the United Arab Emirates totalled $1.8 billion.