Determination No. A-2024-140

Turkish Airlines has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for extra-bilateral authority to permit it to operate an additional flight per week between Türkiye and Canada, for the period of October 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024.

Turkish Airlines is licensed to operate a scheduled international service in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on Air Transport, initialled ad referendum on March 13, 2009, as amended (Agreement).

Under the terms of the Agreement, each country may allocate among its designated air carriers twelve weekly flights to be operated using their own aircraft, in each direction.

In its application, Turkish Airlines states that there is a growing demand for air travel between the two countries, and contends that its operation of an additional flight, as permitted for the period of May 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, pursuant to the authority granted in Determination A-2024-45, has resulted in a positive economic impact and an enhanced connectivity between Canada and Türkiye.

Therefore, Turkish Airlines requests extra-bilateral authority to operate a total of thirteen flights per week to Canada.

Industry notice

Due to the extra-bilateral nature of Turkish Airlines' requested authority, the Agency gave notice of the application to parties that may have an interest, namely Air Canada also carrying on business as Air Canada rouge and as Air Canada Cargo (Air Canada); Air Transat A.T. Inc., carrying on business as Air Transat; and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

The GTAA filed an intervention in respect of the application. No other intervention was filed.

Position of the parties

The GTAA states that it supports the application, because it would allow Turkish Airlines to operate a daily service to Toronto while maintaining their current Montréal service.

The GTAA further adds that the annual demand for services between Canada and Türkiye has been growing significantly since 2019.

Analysis and findings

Authority under subsection 78(2) of the CTA

The Agency may, pursuant to subsection 78(2) of the CTA, grant authority on a temporary basis for a service that is not permitted in a bilateral air transport agreement or arrangement.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and finds it appropriate to grant this authority.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to subsection 78(2) of the CTA, varies Condition 2 of Turkish Airlines' licence to the extent necessary to operate one additional flight per week while operating its scheduled international service between Canada and Türkiye for the period of October 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024.

In all other respects, the service shall be operated in accordance with the Agreement.