Singapore and Canada sign air transport agreement

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has concluded an air transport agreement with Canada under which Singapore carriers are allowed to operate passenger and all-cargo flights as frequently as desired between the two countries.

The agreement was signed after bilateral air services consultations were held in Ottawa, Canada from 30 October to 1 November, the CAAS said.

"This new agreement represents a significant step in further strengthening the bilateral relations between Singapore and Canada," said Mr Lim Kim Choon, director-general and CEO of the CAAS. "It demonstrates our two countries' commitment to pursue a common goal of achieving a more liberal aviation framework in the global aviation arena."

In addition to the flights, the two countries may code-share either with one another, with any Canadian or third country airlines. This means an airline will be able to market its partner airlines's flights as its own, as well as offer an additional means for airlines to serve a market without having to deploy its own aircraft.

Singapore Airlines currently operates six weekly passenger flights between Singapore and Vancouver via Seoul.