The Hindu : India-Canada direct air connectivity likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 14, 2002

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India-Canada direct air connectivity likely

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 13. India and Canada will look into the possibility of a direct air connectivity between them during a meeting between the Civil Aviation Minister, Shahnawaz Hussain, and the Canadian Minister of Transport, David M. Collenette, on September 18 in Canada. Mr. Hussain begins his week-long tour of Canada today.

Sources said, with the acquisition of new aircraft on lease for its winter schedule, Air India would work out an arrangement of tying up with Air Canada, through some points in Europe — Frankfurt or Paris — for seamless travel to Canada. It is likely that the tie-up would be a block-seat arrangement. Air Canada had pulled out of India last year and Air India does not operate any service to Canada.

There is a sizeable NRI population in Canada with no direct connectivity at present to India. Passengers for Canada have to change airlines at London, New York or Chicago — heavy traffic sectors — for destinations in Canada. The favourite destinations for Indians are Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Mr. Hussain, who will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry and Air India, will also meet the president of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Assad Kotaite, and its Secretary-General, R.C. Costa Pareira, on safety, security and international cooperation in civil aviation. India has a high presence on the ICAO through its aviation experts.

The ICAO had set in place an effective safety management system and universal audit programme to which India is a signatory. While India's safety systems have been appreciated by the ICAO, a new security programme is now being developed with India as a leading contributor. India's practice of adopting the same security practices in domestic sector as for international has been adopted by the ICAO as its Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).

The Union Minister will be apprised of the special facilities at the Vancouver and Toronto International Airports through special discussions with the Vancouver Airport Services and the Toronto Development Corporation on specialised customer services and privatisation.

Mr. Hussain will meet the Vancouver-based CHC Helicopter International Incorporate which has recently signed an agreement with India's Pawan Hans Helicopter Service. The MoU allows for CHC to offer contracts to Pawan Hans for operation throughout the world. It also provides for assistance in setting up world-class maintenance facilities in India.

Mr. Hussain will also review in New York and Toronto, Air India's proposed North America operations.

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