Unlimited flights: Argentina and Canada extend their billateral agreement

As a new chapter of the ‘open skies’ policy, and following similar accords signed with Brazil, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Uruguay, the Argentinian government finalized an agreement with Canada to enhance air transport connectivity. 

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«The liberalization of flights between Argentina and Canada is set to significantly increase connectivity, expand operational capacities, allow for unlimited flight frequencies, and introduce new destinations,» said Argentina’s Transport Secretary in a release.

The former agreement, signed in 1979, restricted all traffic to seven weekly flights with a maximum of 2,000 seats. Under the new deal, that limitation will be lifted, and airlines will determine the number of flights and seats based on market demand under the 5th Freedom of the Air terms. 

Additionally, airlines can now decide the number and destination of their stops, promoting the selection of more competitive routes. The cargo transport sector will also lift the 26 flights per semester limit to allow unlimited flights. 

Argentina’s Secretary of Transportation Franco Mogetta, Secretary of Tourism, Environment, and Sports Daniel Scioli, and Deputy Foreign Minister Leopoldo Sahores were part of the local delegation at the signature event, held at Palacio San Martín, Argentina’s Foreign Office main building.

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Hernán Gómez, Undersecretary of Air Transport; Gustavo Marón, National Aviation Administrator; and Diego Idiart, National Director of Air Transport, along with representatives from the aviation industry, were present at the gathering.

From the Canadian side, the delegation was led by Shendra Melia, Director of Air Negotiations at Foreign Affairs; Stephen Worth, Minister of Transport; Nathan Charest, representative of the Canadian Transportation Agency; Pamela Denchev from Global Affairs; and Canada’s Ambassador to Argentina, Reid Sirrs.

Observers included David Waugh and Ignacio Ferrer from Air Canada and Nathaniel Wong from the Vancouver Airport Authority.

«The spirit of this agreement is to enhance competition,» said Shendra Melia, emphasizing the benefits of the increased frequencies. «More airlines and more flights equal better prices and more travelers,» she added.

Secretary Mogetta said that the agreement, the first to be signed with a country that is not located within the South American region, is important and is a continuation of the policy that encourages competition. «I am sure is just the first one and that other countries will follow,» he added.