After nearly six years since the signing of the initial co-operative agreement, Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) recently signed an expanded sister airport agreement with the Incheon International Airport at a ceremony in Incheon, South Korea.

Halifax International Airport Authority President & CEO, Joyce Carter and Incheon International Airport Corporation President & CEO, Mr. Il-Young Chung, signed the agreement on September 13, 2016, signifying their continued commitment to work together to foster partnerships and initiatives.

“For the last six years we have worked closely with Incheon, examining growth in international air transport,” says Joyce Carter. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and developing mutually beneficially opportunities that will in turn have a positive impact on our airports and our communities.”

A number of officials from Incheon International Airport Corporation attended the ceremony, along with Canadian Ambassador to Korea, Eric Walsh. Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, on a trade mission to Asia, also attended the ceremony, and expressed his gratitude to the two airports.

“I congratulate Halifax International Airport Authority and the Incheon Airport Authority on renewing their Sister Airport Agreement,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “These two airports have a shared commitment to superior service and to grow the air linkages between Asia and North America.”

One of the key areas of focus for both airports over the last six years has been the growth of cargo exports. Live lobster exports from Halifax to Asia are growing substantially. Between 2010 and 2015, live lobster exports to Asia have more than doubled. In 2010, the value of live lobster exports from Halifax Stanfield totaled $33 million, growing to $76 million in 2015.

Currently, weekly freighter service from Korean Air Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo carry seafood to multiple destinations in Asia. Additionally, Air Canada, Cargojet, Condor, Fedex, and WestJet provide cargo service to Asia.