About the Office of the Chief Air Negotiator

Bilateral air services between Canada and foreign countries are governed by Air Transport Agreements (ATAs). ATAs are the treaties between Canada and a foreign country that give air carriers of the two countries the right to fly over each other's airspace, land, and operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights between Canada and the foreign country. ATAs are negotiated by Canada’s Chief Air Negotiator.

Canada has ATAs governing its air services with over 125 countries. These ATAs create the framework for Canada’s air connectivity to the world and are key to supporting Canada’s international economic and people-to-people ties.

Scheduled air services enable international travel, including for tourism, business, and education; deepen cultural ties; facilitate trade and investment; and strengthen supply chains.

ATAs are a shared responsibility between two Government of Canada Departments: Global Affairs Canada and Transport Canada. For additional information on Canada’s ATAs, including Canada’s guiding policy to negotiations and a full list of Canada’s ATAs, please visit the Transport Canada website.

A list of Canada’s ATAs can also be found on Canada’s Treaty List website and the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Transport Agreements website.