Air Canada is to boost its winter-season international flights from Vancouver to Asia. Speaking at Routes yesterday, the airline also welcomed Premier Campbell's announcement of his government's commitment in proposing legislation to eliminate the provincial aviation fuel tax for international flights from British Columbia.
"Air Canada is significantly increasing international flights from Vancouver, our second-largest hub. We will be flying daily non-stop to Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, representing an increase in capacity of 17% compared to last winter," says Ben Smith, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
"With our recently announced new daily non-stop flights to Mexico City and to Tokyo Haneda, plus boosting all international flights to daily non-stop service, Air Canada is increasing its international capacity from Vancouver by 15% this coming winter from a year ago."
Smith says he applauds the the BC government for eliminating the provincial aviation fuel tax on international flights. "Following the example set by BC and in 2004 by Alberta, we urge all governments and authorities to work with the industry as partners in the development of sustainable air services," he says.
Air Canada has also stepped up services from Toronto Pearson to some major US destinations including San Diego on a year-round daily service, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and Phoenix, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"It's great to see Air Canada's dedication to its passengers by enhancing the service offered in Toronto," says Toronto's Lloyd McCoomb, president and chief executive of the GTAA. "I love to see our airline partners taking advantage of all that Toronto Pearson has to offer - 150 million guests within reach, shorter distance to global destinations, connections to more than 180 destinations worldwide, excellent on-time performance, quicker connections and so much more."
Source: Flight Daily News
