{
  "id": 9722775,
  "title": "Air transport agreement between Canada and Vietnam expanded",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/air-transport-agreement-between-canada-and-vietnam-expanded",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-25T06:59:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Vietnam Investment Review",
    "slug": "vietnam-investment-review",
    "url": "https://vir.com.vn/air-transport-agreement-between-canada-and-vietnam-expanded-161625.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Canada and Vietnam have expanded their air transport agreement, paving the way for direct scheduled flights between the two countries in 2027. The announcement comes following a state visit by Vietnam's Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, and a meeting in Ottawa between representatives of both nations. This expanded agreement is part of the new Strategic Partnership between Canada and Vietnam, and responds to the growing bilateral air market.\n\nBy facilitating direct flights, the agreement aims to boost business growth, facilitate the movement of goods, streamline travel, and foster stronger people-to-people connections. Mark Galardo, Air Canada's chief commercial officer and president of Cargo, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that Vietnam is an important market in Canada's Southeast Asia relationship.\n\nManinder Sidhu, Canada's Minister of International Trade, highlighted Vietnam as one of Canada's most dynamic trading partners in the region, with exports to Vietnam reaching over $1.3 billion in 2025, a nearly 30% increase from the previous year. By enhancing air transport, Canada aims to make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries, opening new opportunities for businesses and diversifying its trade.\n\nMeghan Pritchard, executive director of the Canada ASEAN Business Council, welcomed the move, noting that direct air connectivity would strengthen commercial ties, support tourism and investment, and deepen Canadian engagement in Vietnam's dynamic market. However, future services are contingent on obtaining the necessary government approvals.",
  "summary": "Air Canada on September 24 welcomed the government of Canada s announcement of an expanded air transport agreement with Vietnam",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Vietnam Investment Review",
        "title": "Ministry of Education and Training and Suntory Pepsico Vietnam sign environmental education cooperation agreement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/ministry-of-education-and-training-and-suntory-pepsico-vietnam-sign",
        "published": "2026-09-25T08:28:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}