Officials from three airports in the San Francisco Bay area are coming to Ottawa next month to lobby for a direct flight between Ottawa and Northern California.

Technology companies in Ottawa and San Jose are doing more business together than ever before, but business travellers often need to set aside a whole day in order to get to Silicon Valley via Chicago, Detroit or Toronto.

"It would likely be in the interest of a Canadian airline to demonstrate its confidence in our business community," says lawyer Jacques Shore of Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson. His firm is involved in an upcoming trade mission bringing San Jose business people to Ottawa.

Shore says that although the number of flyers might not be clear right now, an airline needs to realize that "they'll take part in the growth and development, and that demonstrates good corporate citizenship too."

If Air Canada isn't interested in offering a direct flight between Ottawa and Silicon Valley, American-based airlines may be approached.