WASHINGTON (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the U.S. and Canada have reached a tentative deal to resolve a dispute over charter flights that threatens to disrupt the upcoming professional hockey season.

The U.S. prohibits carriage of passengers or cargo for compensation or hire by a foreign airline solely between points in the U.S. Yet Canadian teams could have difficulty playing back-to-back games in the U.S. if they are forced to return to their home country between each game.

Harper said Wednesday: "We think we're very close to resolving that ... I think we have some kind of a tentative agreement in principle and we're working to finalize that in the next few days." He spoke during an Oval Office appearance with President Barack Obama.