Air North strikes deal with German airline

There are hopes that a new deal signed between Air North and German airline Condor will help boost tourism in the Yukon.

The deal makes it easier for German tourists to fly from Frankfurt to Whitehorse.

In addition to existing Sunday direct flights between the two cities, travelers from Germany can now fly through Vancouver or Calgary to Whitehorse on one ticket three other days each week.

The flights between Germany and Whitehorse are seasonal, running to the end of September and starting again in May.

Yukon Premier Darrel Pasloski, who just returned from a trade mission to Germanyand England, says the deal is good news for the territory.

"These agreements translate into real business opportunities for Yukon tourism operators," he says.

According to the government, tourism is growing at around three per cent a year.About 10,000 of thosetouristscome every year from German-speaking Europe.

Air North President Joe Sparling was also on the trade mission.

"All of us that participated in the trade mission know that we need new customers in order to grow or sustain our business," says Sparling. "We cant wait for new business to come to us, we have to go and find new business."