Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced the conclusion of an expanded air transport agreement that allows 21 flights per week for each country – 50 percent more flights than the maximum number previously possible.

The agreement will facilitate new routes and give airlines greater flexibility to accommodate changes in market demand, says Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, who notes that the UAE is Canada’s largest air transport market in the Middle East.

The significant move will better accommodate the growing Canada-UAE air transport market, improve Canada’s global connectivity, and support tourism and trade activity between the two countries, says the government.

The new rights under the expanded agreement are available for use by airlines immediately. Currently Air Canada, Emirates and Etihad serve the market directly.

“This expansion of the Canada-United Arab Emirates air transport agreement will improve Canada’s international connectivity and enhance people-to-people and commercial links. As we continue to support the recovery of the Canadian air industry, we are pleased that this expanded agreement will benefit a larger number of Canadian travellers, industry stakeholders, and workers in Canada’s air sector. This is good news for tourism and the creation of good middle-class jobs for Canadians,” said Alghabra.

Quick facts

• Canada’s air transport agreement with the UAE was concluded in 1999, expanded in 2018, and again in April 2023.

• Expansion of the agreement with the UAE was guided by Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.

The new agreement is also aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy since the UAE serves as a hub for many flights to Asia.