CALGARY, Jan. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it is boosting its Calgary-Tokyo non-stop flights in response to strong demand after introducing the new route last summer.  Air Canada will increase its existing schedule to five weekly flights from three effective March 26, 2011, as it takes steps towards continuing the non-stop service on a year-round basis, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals in Japan.

"Demand for Air Canada's non-stop Calgary-Tokyo Narita service has been strong from business and leisure travelers, as well as freight forwarders.  We are very pleased after just one season operating the only scheduled direct service between Alberta and Asia to be able to increase flights on this route," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.  "Service to Narita offers a multitude of connecting flights with our Star Alliance partners to key destinations throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei and several points across Japan.  This is a good example of how we can work well with the business and tourism communities to achieve success in some markets.  With the support of the Calgary business community, the Calgary Airport Authority, Travel Alberta and our travel partners, we look forward to being able to maintain a year-round schedule, pending approvals in Japan."

As a result of lower than expected demand for planned Vancouver-Tokyo Haneda non-stop flights offering point-to-point service between the two cities, the launch of that route will now be delayed until more convenient arrival and departure times can be obtained that would enable customers to connect to flights at Haneda for onward travel to points within Japan and throughout Asia.

Calgary-Narita non-stop service complements Air Canada's daily year-round Vancouver-Tokyo Narita and Toronto-Tokyo Narita non-stop flights, both operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.   This summer, the carrier will offer 19 flights each week from Canada to Tokyo's Narita International Airport.

In addition to offering efficient connections at Narita to points throughout Asia with Air Canada's Star Alliance partners, ANA, Asiana, THAI and United Airlines, Air Canada's Narita flights from both Calgary and Vancouver are timed to offer convenient connections to and from communities across Western Canada served by Air Canada.

Air Canada's increased scheduled of Calgary-Tokyo flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing Calgary at 12:45 p.m. and arriving in Narita the following day at 2:25 p.m.  Flights will depart Narita on Monday's, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m., arriving Calgary same day at 10:40 a.m.

Air Canada operates its Calgary-Tokyo flights with fully refurbished 211-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lie-flat bed suites.  Further details and a virtual tour of Air Canada's new cabin amenities including complimentary personal seatback entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft are available at:  http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/onboard/cabincomfort.html

Air Canada received top honours in Business Traveler magazine's Best in Business Travel 2010 annual reader survey, winning five awards: Best Flight Attendants in North America, Best In-flight Services in North America, Best North America Airline for Business Class Service, Best North American Airline for International Travel, and Best Airline Web Site. Readers of Global Travel magazine voted Air Canada Best Airline in North America, for the sixth consecutive year in their 2010 reader survey. Air Canada was named Best Airline North America in a worldwide survey of more than 17 million air travelers conducted by independent research firm Skytrax for its 2010 World Airline Awards. Air Canada was named Canada's Preferred Airline by frequent business travellers in the 2010 Ipsos Reid Business Traveller Survey.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo from 60 communities large and small across Canada to more than 175 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually.  Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,172 airports in 181 countries. Air Canada customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits including lounge and priority services.