Despite Canada’s official ‘open skies’ policies, Emirates Airline is fighting with the Canadian government ministry Transport Canada over attempts to limit the carriers access to the country.   Transport Canada is responsible for enforcing the ‘open skies’ policy, which is intended to encourage foreign carriers to begin services to Canadian destinations.  However, Transport Canada is actively attempting to limit access to both Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways. 

Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways combined services between the UAE and Toronto, Canada are currently limited to 6 flights per week.  Emirates switched their operations from a Boeing 777 aircraft to an Airbus A380 superjumbo to accommodate more passengers. A senior Vice President for Emirates claims Transport Canada is trying to keep Emirates out of the world’s second largest market.  Andrew Parker said “The language Transport Canada has used over the past decade is aggressive, often biased and deeply objectionable to the carrier”.