Air Transat Secures CTA Approval for Codeshare Flights to Cambodia & Iraq

Air Transat has received regulatory approval to expand its international reach through codeshare services connecting Canada with Cambodia and Iraq, following two separate decisions by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).

The approvals, published Oct. 7, authorize the Canadian leisure airline to offer scheduled international air services to both countries through codeshare arrangements, potentially opening new travel options for Canadians heading to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

According to the CTA, Air Transat has been granted a licence to operate scheduled international services to Cambodia using large aircraft through codesharing, under the terms of a bilateral air transport agreement between Canada and Cambodia signed on January 22, 2015.

In its determination, the agency confirmed that Air Transat had satisfied the applicable licensing requirements under the Canada Transportation Act and complied with the conditions outlined in the agreement.

The authorization allows Air Transat to operate codeshare services on routes covered by the Canada-Cambodia memorandum of understanding, subject to applicable aviation regulations.

Temporary Approval for Iraq

In a separate decision, the CTA also approved Air Transat’s application for a temporary licence to operate scheduled international codeshare services between Canada and Iraq.

Unlike Cambodia, Canada does not currently have an air transport agreement with Iraq that permits Canadian carriers to operate scheduled international services between the two countries.

As a result, Air Transat’s application required special authorization of the Canada Transportation Act, which allows the CTA to grant temporary licences for services not covered by existing bilateral aviation agreements.

The agency confirmed that the Minister of Transport had designated Air Transat as eligible to operate the proposed service and that the airline met the necessary licensing, aviation documentation and insurance requirements.

The temporary authorization will remain valid until June 30, 2028.

What It Means

The two decisions provide Air Transat with regulatory authority to expand its international network through codeshare partnerships, potentially giving Canadian travellers additional booking options for destinations not currently served by the airline’s own aircraft.

The approvals do not constitute announcements of new nonstop Air Transat flights to Cambodia or Iraq.

Neither CTA determination identifies an operating airline, specific routes, Canadian departure cities, flight frequencies or launch dates.

Official details of any commercial codeshare arrangements have yet to be announced.