Regina 
Canada is opening the door to significantly more air travel and cargo movement with two key Middle Eastern partners, following newly expanded aviation agreements with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced the updates after negotiations wrapped up at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s ICAN 2025 event in the Dominican Republic.
The revised agreement with Saudi Arabia sharply raises capacity. Passenger services can now reach 14 flights per week for each country, more than triple the previous limit of four. Cargo carriers gain even broader access, moving from three weekly flights to unlimited operations, plus open fifth-freedom rights that allow them to carry goods between two foreign countries on routes tied to their home base.
The UAE agreement expands in a similar fashion. Each country now has access to 35 weekly passenger flights, an increase of 14, building on air service commitments discussed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit. Cargo flights also become unlimited, up from four, with identical fifth-freedom provisions. Airlines can begin using these expanded rights immediately.
MacKinnon said the changes will help drive competition, improve connectivity, and give Canadians more affordable travel choices. Sidhu highlighted the commercial upside, noting that stronger air links support exporters and deepen long-standing economic relationships.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already among Canada’s most active aviation and trade partners in the region. In 2024, two-way merchandise trade with Saudi Arabia reached $4.1 billion, while trade with the UAE totalled $3.4 billion. Canada now maintains air transport agreements or arrangements with more than 125 countries worldwide.
