The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) has said it is optimistic of favourable talks between the European Commission and Canada toward an EU-wide Open Skies regime with Canada.
The CAC was responding to the news from Europe that the EC has been given the official mandate to hold the talks.
“An Open Skies regime between Canada and the EU similar to the one negotiated already between the EU and the US would be a big step forward in the promotion of tourism growth with Europe,” said CAC President and CEO Jim Facette. “As gateways to the communities they serve, Canada’s airports have an important stake in the outcome of these talks.”
While Canada has Open Skies agreements with Britain and Ireland, an Open Skies regime with the European Union would replace individual bilateral agreements – many of them heavily restrictive – between Canada and the individual members of the 27- member EU.