Minister Lisée makes case to Chinese authorities for a direct flight between Montréal and Beijing
BEIJING, October 16, 2013 - During a series of meetings in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Education, and Science and Technology, Minister Jean-François Lisée expressed a desire to enhance economic, academic and institutional relations with China.
The Minister reiterated that Québec is by far the most firmly established Canadian province in China. The Chinese Consulate-General, which opened in 2011, and, more recently, the opening of a Bank of China branch in Montréal last week will further contribute to heightening relations.
“However, we lack an essential tool for accelerating the expansion of our relations: regular direct flights between Beijing and Montréal,” said the Minister Lisée.
The Minister stressed the need to establish a direct air link during a speech he gave at the General Assembly of the Canada-Ch ...
ROUTES: Montreal hopeful of direct flights to Beijing in 2011
Officials from Montreal Trudeau International airport are working feverishly to offer direct flights to Beijing as early as next year.
Aeroports de Montreal Director of Airline Development Luce Bureau believes the route is "quite viable in our mind because the demand is there". Canada's approved destination status by China could also help accelerate the introduction of the route.
Nonstop service to South America is also a priority, says Bureau, who hopes that a new landing fee reduction incentive programme will attract new air service to the airport. Carriers introducing a new year-round market will have a 100% reduction in fees during the first year of service.
Bureau says Montreal Trudeau has meetings with about 20 airlines here at the show to continue efforts to draw new carriers to the airport.
She's also encouraged by meetings scheduled next week during the ICAO General Assembly in Montreal between the Canadian gov ...
