Canada signs new airline agreements with Nigeria, Mali and Oman

Canada’s transportation ministry has announced new air transport agreements with Nigeria, Mali and Oman, which are intended to allow Canadian airlines to better serve passengers flying between Canada and these countries.

The new agreements are part of the Canada's Blue Sky Policy, which Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt said encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.

For the first-time, code-sharing agreements will make travel to and from Nigeria, Mali and Oman easier and more convenient. Code-sharing occurs when air carriers sell seats on flights operated by another carrier, which allows airlines to expand their networks and products.

"I am pleased to announce these three new air agreements with Nigeria, Mali and Oman as they will offer more options and flexibility to Canadian travellers,” Raitt said. “These agreements demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting the Canadian air industry by helping it expand its access to international markets."

Airlines can exercise their new rights under the agreements immediately. Nigeria, Mali and Oman are far from the first countries to strike new airline agreements with Canada. The Blue Sky Policy has now been expanded to cover air transport agreements in more than 85 countries with 30 new agreements coming over the past two years alone.