Dubai: Air Canada is starting three daily flights to Dubai next month, almost a decade after the Canadian government blocked UAE airlines from gaining more access to the country.
From November 3, the Canadian carrier will fly three-times weekly from Toronto to Dubai — the same amount of flights each operated by Emirates and Etihad Airways to Toronto.
Air Canada first announced the route in December 2014 and on Friday, October 23, started marketing the service.
Canada’s previous Conservative government, led by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, had opposed allowing UAE carriers flying beyond the six landing rights granted under a 1999 agreement, leading to a diplomatic fallout that was later resolved in 2013.
But the election of a new Liberal government this week has raised hopes of restarting the negotiations, General Civil Aviation Authority Director General Saif Mohammad Al Suwaidi told Gulf News on Wednesday.
“Let the new government settle down and of course we’ll start discussing with them the requirements of our carriers,” he said.
In 2014, Air Canada boss Calin Rovinescu said he would oppose Emirates or Etihad increasing flights to Canada.
