Air Canada Enhances Service by Deploying Q400 Aircraft to More Western Canada Regional Markets
  • Capacity increasing for Vancouver Island, Northern BC, BC Interior, Saskatoon, Winnipeg

MONTREAL, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced it will boost capacity on regional routes across Western Canada this spring as it deploys more state-of-the-art Bombardier Q-400 Next Gen aircraft.  The changes are part of an ongoing transformation of Air Canada Express that will result in enhanced services for customers.

"Air Canada is strategically enhancing the flying experience and increasing capacity this summer on key regional routes in Western Canada.  The ultra-quiet, comfortable, fuel efficient and faster Q-400 aircraft will be well-received by our customers and is larger than the regional aircraft it is replacing.  We are pleased to deploy it to more communities in Western Canada as we further strengthen our regional network to optimize all significant connections between our extensive regional and global markets," said Mark Galardo, Vice President, Network Planning at Air Canada. "With our varied and flexible fleet, we are also adding frequencies to our Vancouver-Anchorage and adding capacity to our Calgary-Winnipeg route with larger Airbus aircraft in response to demand."

Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz Aviation LP are scheduled to provide convenient, point-to-point travel, as well as easy connections to Air Canada's extensive domestic, US and international network at Vancouver and Calgary.  Customers also collect and redeem Aeroplan Miles through Canada's leading loyalty program when travelling with Air Canada, and eligible customers have access to priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges at main airports, priority boarding and other benefits.

Increased services this summer peak compared to last year include:

 

Route

Frequencies

Capacity

Vancouver-Nanaimo

7 daily Q-400 flights

546 daily seats, 14% increase

Vancouver-Comox

4 daily Q-400 flights

312 daily seats, 23% increase

Vancouver-Sandspit

2 daily Q-400 flights

156 daily seats, 52% increase

Vancouver-Prince Rupert

2 daily Q-400 flights

156 daily seats, 5% increase

Vancouver-Smithers

2 daily Q-400 flights

156 daily seats, 14% increase

Vancouver-Kamloops

4 daily Q-400 flights

312 daily seats, 25% increase

Vancouver-Penticton

3 daily Q-400 flights

234 daily seats, 17% increase

Calgary-Kelowna

3 daily Q-400 flights

234 daily seats, 13% increase

Calgary-Saskatoon

4 daily Q-400 flights

312 daily seats, 7% increase

Calgary-Winnipeg

2 daily A320 + 1 daily CR-900 flights

368 daily seats, 19% increase

Vancouver-Anchorage

1 daily 320 and 1 daily 319 flight

266 daily seats, 80% increase

 

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 220 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2018 served nearly 51 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 60 in the United States and 98 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,317 airports in 193 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which also named Air Canada the 2018 Best Airline in North America. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.                                      

Internet: aircanada.com

 

SOURCE Air Canada

For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), Isabelle.arthur@aircanada.ca, 514 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto),peter.fitzpatrick@aircanada.ca, 416 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), angela.mah@aircanada.ca, 604 270-5741