The Calgary Herald's Gina Teel reports that in a perfect world, Emirates Airline would be able to offer a daily flight to Calgary in about six months' time.
"But with little success thus far in convincing Transport Canada to expand the Dubai-based airline's presence in Canada beyond the three flights per week currently permitted -- which all go to Toronto -- Emirates instead took its business case to a blue-chip crowd at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce."
Andrew Parker, Emirates' senior vice-president for public and environmental affairs, said the inability to increase the carrier's flights to Canada, particularly to the desired Calgary and Vancouver markets, is frustrating and hampers trade, tourism and economic development opportunities here.
Three flights per week are all that's allowed under the current air transport agreement between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Teel writes.
"That's an extremely restrictive environment," Parker said.
However, Transport Canada said there's no need to renegotiate the agreement, signed in 2001.
"At this time, we feel that the agreement is OK, it meets the needs of the current market," said department spokesman Patrick Charette.
Parker disagreed, noting Alberta exports to the UAE are $173 million, while Canadian exports there hit $1.12 billion in 2007, a 43 per cent year over year increase.
That's more trade than other countries with which Canada has reached "open skies" type agreements, he suggested.
Teel notes that Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who met with the Emirates team earlier in the day to discuss "the importance of a direct air connection between Dubai and Calgary," seemed to be on board. He white-hatted Parker prior to lunch.
"Let me assure you that as a customer who has flown with Emirates, if you ever want to fly and have a nice rest, Emirates air is it," Bronconnier said.
"But with little success thus far in convincing Transport Canada to expand the Dubai-based airline's presence in Canada beyond the three flights per week currently permitted -- which all go to Toronto -- Emirates instead took its business case to a blue-chip crowd at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce."
Andrew Parker, Emirates' senior vice-president for public and environmental affairs, said the inability to increase the carrier's flights to Canada, particularly to the desired Calgary and Vancouver markets, is frustrating and hampers trade, tourism and economic development opportunities here.
Three flights per week are all that's allowed under the current air transport agreement between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Teel writes.
"That's an extremely restrictive environment," Parker said.
However, Transport Canada said there's no need to renegotiate the agreement, signed in 2001.
"At this time, we feel that the agreement is OK, it meets the needs of the current market," said department spokesman Patrick Charette.
Parker disagreed, noting Alberta exports to the UAE are $173 million, while Canadian exports there hit $1.12 billion in 2007, a 43 per cent year over year increase.
That's more trade than other countries with which Canada has reached "open skies" type agreements, he suggested.
Teel notes that Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who met with the Emirates team earlier in the day to discuss "the importance of a direct air connection between Dubai and Calgary," seemed to be on board. He white-hatted Parker prior to lunch.
"Let me assure you that as a customer who has flown with Emirates, if you ever want to fly and have a nice rest, Emirates air is it," Bronconnier said.
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