S. Korea-Canada `open-skies` agreement goes into effect

SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) - An aviation agreement between South Korea and Canada
came into force Thursday, helping increase passenger and cargo flights between
the two countries, Seoul officials said Thursday.
The open-air accord, signed in November last year, is expected to ease chronic
seat shortages between the two countries and allow South Korea flag carriers to
use the North American country as a transit point for other destinations, the
Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said.
An open-skies agreement gives each country the freedom to increase its number of
flights without restrictions.
On average, 200,000 people fly between the two countries each year, but passenger
capacity is set at 2,000 seats per week. At present, only Korean Air operates
flights to Canada.
The ministry said that the signing of the pact follows similar agreements with
the United States in 1998 and Mexico in June 2008.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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