Canada - ¡Ay, caramba, eh! Canada and Mexico reach an expanded air transport agreement

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/canada-and-mexico-reach-59169.html

OTTAWA (MMD Newswire) August 15, 2011 - - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that Canada and Mexico have reached an expanded air transport agreement, which will facilitate increased travel and trade between the two countries.

"As Canada's third largest air transport market, Mexico is an important bilateral aviation partner," said Minister Lebel. "The expanded air transport agreement builds on the existing air transport agreement to benefit travellers, shippers, and the business sectors of both countries."

This expanded agreement provides a completely open framework for direct flights between Canada and Mexico, thereby allowing any number of airlines from both countries to offer more services between any Canadian and Mexican cities. The agreement also provides greater flexibility to adjust prices according to market forces and modernizes safety and security provisions.

"Expanded air service with Mexico is great news for Canadian exporters, travellers and investors," added Minister Fast. "Canada-Mexico economic relations have strengthened significantly -- creating jobs and economic growth -- since the historic NAFTA entered into force in 1994. Our trade has more than quadrupled during that time and this is proof that we are on the right track with our job-creating free trade plan. Additional air transport connectivity will encourage even more prosperity."

The agreement is being applied on an administrative basis, allowing airlines to offer new services immediately, once designated by the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Since November 2006, Canada's Blue Sky policy has encouraged long-term, sustainable competition and the development of new and expanded international air services. Under this policy, the Government of Canada has concluded open, new or expanded air transport agreements with 57 countries, including:

Open Skies-type agreements with 12 countries: Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, South Korea, El Salvador, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Brazil;

expanded agreements with nine countries: Mexico, Japan, Jordan, Singapore, the Philippines, Morocco, Cuba, Egypt and Algeria;

new "first-time" agreements with nine countries: Kuwait, Serbia, Croatia, Panama, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Qatar; and

a comprehensive air transport agreement between Canada and the European Union's 27 member states. This includes Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia, with which Canada did not previously have air transport agreements.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/westjet-welcomes-expanded-canada-mexico-air-agreement-2011-08-15-173000?reflink=MW_news_stmp

CALGARY, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Airline currently serves six beautiful sun destinations in Mexico

WestJet today welcomed the announcement of an expanded air transport agreement between Canada and Mexico. WestJet is scheduled to fly non-stop 95 times per week to Mexico from 19 Canadian cities as part of its 2011-2012 winter schedule.

"Given that Mexico is a key part of our international air and vacation package strategy, we commend the Canadian and Mexican governments for their initiative and look forward to a completely open framework for non-stop flights between the two countries," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. "With convenient, non-stop service to Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico remains one of the most popular destinations for WestJet guests. This expanded air transport agreement lays the framework for future growth in both leisure and business travel, and we look forward to exploring new opportunities in this important international market."

I'm left wondering why Westjet has failed to start flights to MEX.

I'm left wondering why Westjet has failed to start flights to MEX.Long walk to the beach.

Having traveled to BC and learned about drugs from Mexico crossing the border there, my immediate first thought: Will this be a green light to Mexico's drug cartels? Will Canada's attempt to prevent that affect non-Canadians who want to visit Canada? Because my trip to Canada this year seemed way different than 2009. And all I heard was "drug cartels are now shipping on that border since vigilance is higher on the southern US border". Seems to me that Mexico's government and law enforcement are really in a critical condition. So Canada can't expect much help from them.

Having traveled to BC and learned about drugs from Mexico crossing the border there, my immediate first thought: Will this be a green light to Mexico's drug cartels? Will Canada's attempt to prevent that affect non-Canadians who want to visit Canada? Because my trip to Canada this year seemed way different than 2009. And all I heard was "drug cartels are now shipping on that border since vigilance is higher on the southern US border". Seems to me that Mexico's government and law enforcement are really in a critical condition. So Canada can't expect much help from them.I do think you will see increased 'vigilance' from CBSA and US CBP on both sides of the borders, air and land.

I get pulled over about 40% of the time. Must fit some kind of profile, which illustrates just how effective that is :rolleyes: .