SINGAPORE and Canada have inked a new air pact that allows for unlimited flights between the two countries, but it falls short of what Singapore Airlines was hoping for.

The good thing about the deal, sealed in Ottawa after three days of talks which ended Nov 1, is that SIA no longer has to renew its flying permit with the Canadian government twice a year.

All barriers on frequencies of flights have also been lifted for the Singapore carrier, which currently flies three times a week to Vancouver via Seoul in South Korea, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in a statement on Wednesday.

But the air agreement, which SIA says 'is a step in the right direction', will not change anything on the ground because flights out of Seoul remain tightly regulated.

SIA spokesman Stephen Forshwa told The Straits Times that allowing for unlimited flights on an 'ultra-long-range route, but imposing heavy restrictions on the required fifth freedom intermediate rights, effectively limits us to the current scale and frequency of operations to Seoul and Vancouver, which is three times per week.'

For SIA to fly as many times as it wants between Seoul and Vancouver, it needs separate approval from both governments. Flying non-stop to Canada is also not an option for SIA now, Mr Forshaw said because the route economics do not support its viable operations.

Industry watchers say there is not enough direct traffic between the two points.

Mr Forshaw said: 'So while in theory, the agreement is designed to facilitate more air links, it does not yet accomplish this in practice.'

'It is a step, but more steps need to follow to ensure this agreement delivers real benefits for travellers between Singapore and Canada.'

Bilaterally, the air deal is good for Singapore-Canada relations.

CAAS director-general and chief executive officer Lim Kim Choon, who led the Singapore delegation, said: 'It demonstrates our two countries' commitment to pursue a common goal of achieving a more liberal aviation framework in the global aviation arena.'