Air Canada has this week added three new routes – a three-weekly service to Toronto-Quito, a four-weekly Vancouver-Auckland link and three-weekly Montréal-São Paulo.
The Quito route will utilise a Boeing 767-300ER on a seasonal basis and be operated by its low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge. It will be the first non-stop service to Ecuador from Canada when it begins on 8 December, 2019, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals.
Air Canada vice president network planning, Mark Galardo said: “Air Canada is expanding its footprint in South America as part of its ongoing international growth strategy from our Toronto global hub.
“As the capital of Ecuador, Quito is both an important tourism and cargo market, and Ecuador has a growing number of Canadians living in the country who will also benefit from this convenient non-stop service.
“As well, our expansion in South America gives us an opportunity to efficiently deploy our aircraft during the winter months when southern destinations are more popular.”
Air Canada will operate flights between Vancouver and Auckland (New Zealand) using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft beginning 12 December, 2019 until the end of March 2020, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals.
Air Canada has also finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand to pursue expanding its current alliance arrangement to strategically co-operate in the form of a joint venture, subject to Air Canada and Air New Zealand making the necessary filings, obtaining competition and other regulatory approvals and finalizing documentation.
The airline said a deeper, more integrated partnership will provide “greater customer choice, comprehensive benefits and an expanded trans-Pacific network”.
Air Canada vice president of global sales and alliances, John MacLeod said: “Air Canada and Air New Zealand already have a close partnership, having been codeshare and Star Alliance partners for more than 20 years.
“We look forward to deepening our relationship and optimizing our far-reaching trans-Pacific network co-operation, offering our customers a choice of more flights, connections and travel opportunities.”
The Montreal-São Paulo (Brazil) winter service will be the only non-stop flights between the two cities. This new route to São Paulo will commence on 11 December, 2019 and operate until 27 March, 2020.
Flights will be operated by Air Canada’s flagship aircraft, the 298-seat, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
