Canada reaches aviation agreement with SA

Montreal - Canada has announced a series of air transport agreements with seven countries that will result in more flight options and routes for its airlines.

In addition to more flights to and from the countries, the bilateral agreements will allow flights to accommodate passengers from partner airlines, in a process known as code-sharing, according to a statement.

Agreements were reached with South Africa as well as Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Macedonia, Turkey and Ecuador.

"These relationships will provide more commercial opportunities to the Canadian air industry and are important for the competitiveness of our business and tourism sectors," Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said.

Elsewhere, Air Canada announced it is expanding its flights to Europe from Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary beginning mid-2014.