9 July 2007

New International Air Cargo Trans-Shipment Program for the Calgary International Airport

This news release was issued by Transport Canada on 6 July 2007.

Transport Canada … launched an international air cargo trans-shipment program at Calgary International Airport. The new program simplifies air carrier access to Calgary for air cargo trans-shipment and provides an additional incentive to use the airport's cargo facilities. …

"Canada's New Government has a comprehensive strategy to implement Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative," said Minister of International Trade David Emerson. "This air cargo trans-shipment program is yet another example of how we are leveraging our geographical position as a crossroads between Asia and the North American market."

The new program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use Calgary International Airport as a trans-shipment point for cargo coming from and destined for points outside Canada. While in Calgary, the cargo may also be stored until it is transported to its final destination by air or other mode.

Canadian and foreign air carriers will now be able to use Calgary International Airport to trans-ship international cargo, even if these rights are not provided in Canada's bilateral air transport agreements. In addition, air carriers will be able to combine such cargo trans-shipments with other services for which they may be licensed.

Similar trans-shipment programs were introduced at Mirabel (1982), Hamilton (1987), Windsor (1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004) and Edmonton (2006).