Transport Canada announced an expanded bilateral air transport agreement with Tunisia on September 14, allowing any number of airlines from each country to operate services between all Canadian points and multiple Tunisian destinations. The pact also grants fifth-freedom rights for all-cargo flights and increases capacity for passenger services. The deal falls under Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which seeks to liberalise air services to spur trade, tourism and people-to-people ties. Tunisia becomes the latest North-African country to enjoy expanded rights, following similar agreements with Egypt and Morocco earlier this year. For Canadian carriers, the agreement opens the door to direct services to Tunis and potentially other Tunisian cities, bypassing current one-stop routings via Europe. Freight forwarders anticipate more competitive cargo rates for automotive parts and agri-food shipments moving both ways. Canadian diaspora communities, particularly in Quebec and Ontario, stand to benefit from shorter travel times and better connectivity. Travel managers should monitor airline schedule filings over the coming IATA seasons; once new flights are loaded, corporate negotiated-fare opportunities could emerge in a market previously dominated by European hubs. Employers should also update travel-risk assessments, as Tunisia’s security advisory level remains “exercise a high degree of caution” according to Global Affairs Canada.
Source: Transport Canada
