Transport Canada confirmed on 25 September that it has finalised an expanded bilateral air-services agreement with Vietnam, granting carriers in both countries rights to operate up to 14 passenger flights and seven all-cargo flights a week. The pact removes previous routing restrictions and paves the way for the first direct links between Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary and Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi as early as summer 2027. The agreement is expected to slash journey times by four to six hours for the 275,000-strong Vietnamese-Canadian community and for a fast-growing cohort of Vietnamese students—currently Canada’s fifth-largest source market for study permits. Trade officials also point to the $20.6 billion two-way merchandise trade corridor that will benefit from faster cargo cycles. For corporate travel managers, direct service will simplify Asia-Pacific itineraries that now rely on connections through Seoul, Taipei or Tokyo. Advance route filings indicate that Air Canada and Vietnam Airlines are assessing Boeing 787 operations, while WestJet is studying cargo codeshares. Companies with operations in both countries should revisit travel budgets and consider negotiated-fare blocks before inaugural schedules are filed. The deal aligns with Ottawa’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and mirrors recent agreements with Singapore and the Philippines, underscoring Canada’s pivot toward diversified air connectivity beyond its traditional Europe-U.S. focus.
Source: Canadian Travel News
