Porter Inaugurates New Route Between Toronto-Pearson and Québec City
Complements existing Toronto-City service
May 17, 2024 – TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Porter Airlines is inaugurating service today between Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), adding another route to its growing Toronto network. These seasonal roundtrip flights will operate daily until October 26.
Service will be operated by the brand new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. A two-by-two configuration means there are no middle seats on any Porter flight. Fast and free WiFi is also available for every passenger flying on the 132-seat E195.
Passengers can expect genuine hospitality and an elevated level of onboard service, with free beer and wine served in real glassware, alongside complimentary, premium snacks.
PorterReserve fares offer passengers an all-inclusive economy experience, with fresh and healthy meals, extra legroom seats, premium pre-mixed cocktails, priority check-in, and ticketing flexibility as standard. These options are available à la carte with PorterClassic fares.
Connections are available through Toronto-Pearson to Western Canada destinations Vancouver and Edmonton, providing passengers with more opportunities to experience Porter’s elevated onboard service when travelling across the country.
The new service more than doubles Porter’s capacity between the two cities, complementing existing flights between YQB and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which are operated by the 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Detailed schedules can be found on flyporter.com.
Quotes
“Québec City is a popular destination for travellers, with its rich history and culture. Porter’s new service adds more capacity on a busy seasonal route, and more opportunities for passengers to enjoy the elevated economy experience they deserve.”
– Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines
“We are delighted that Porter Airlines is increasing its service from YQB with a new daily flight to Toronto Pearson Airport. The expanded service to the Canadian metropolis will undoubtedly appeal to the population of the Greater Québec City area, and facilitate connectivity to popular destinations in Western Canada and the United States. We salute Porter’s commitment, which testifies to the attractiveness and dynamism of our magnificent region.”
– Stéphane Poirier, president and CEO of YQB
“Adding Quebec City to Porter’s choice of routes from Toronto Pearson is a testament to their commitment to growing their hub at our airport. We know this new service will increase passenger choice for those looking to explore this beautiful and historically rich destination.”
– Kurush Minocher, executive director, customer experience and airline relations, Greater Toronto Airport Authority.
About Porter Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com
MONTREAL, May 13, 2024 /CNW/ – Air Transat, voted World’s Best Leisure Airline for the fifth time at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announces an increase in its offer from Quebec for the 2024-2025 winter season. At the peak of the season, more than 170 non-stop flights per week will be offered from Montreal and Quebec City to more than thirty destinations covering the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Florida, Europe and North Africa.
“For the 2024-2025 winter season, we continue to expand our offer to Air Transat’s flagship destinations,” said Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer of Transat. “We have also been able to increase our frequencies to key destinations in Europe, leveraging our partnership with Porter Airlines and their expansion in the domestic market to reach a wider customer base. In addition, we have strengthened our routes to Florida to meet the diverse needs of our passengers more effectively, including those in the cruise market.”
At the peak of the season, Air Transat’s overall schedule will include nearly 300 non-stop flights per week from 7 Canadian cities. In addition to Montreal and Quebec City, it will also offer flights from Toronto, Ottawa, London, Halifax and Moncton.
Sunshine for all: increase in the offer to southern destinations
From Montreal, the airline is increasing flight frequencies to key markets such as Cancun and Punta Cana, while adding capacity on high-potential routes such as Fort-de-France, Saint-Martin and Lima.
From Quebec City, Air Transat is increasing its flight frequencies to Holguin and offering a total of nine sun destinations, affirming its commitment to serving the needs of travellers in this region for southern destinations.
Destination
Departing from Montreal
Departing from Quebec City
ACAPULCO – Mexico
1
CANCÚN – Mexico
14 (+1)
5
CARTAGENA – Colombia
3
CAYO COCO – Cuba
5
2
COZUMEL – Mexico
1
FORT-DE-FRANCE – Martinique
4 (+1)
LA ROMANA – Dominican Republic
1
LIBERIA – Costa Rica
4
LIMA – Peru
2 (+1)
HOLGUIN – Try
5
2 (+1)
MONTEGO BAY – Jamaica
3
PHILIPSBURG – Saint-Martin
4 (+1)
POINTE-À-PITRE – Guadeloupe
3
PORT-AU-PRINCE – Haiti
1
PUERTO PLATA – Dominican Republic
6
2
PUERTO VALLARTA – Mexico
5
2
PUNTA CANA – Dominican Republic
14 (+1)
6
RIO HATO – Panama
2
SAMANA – Dominican Republic
4
1
SAN JOSE – Costa Rica
4
SAN JUAN – Porto Rico
1
SAN SALVADOR – Salvador
2
SANTA CLARA – Cuba
3
1
VARADERO – Cuba
5
1
Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season and variations compared to winter 2023-2024.
Stronger transatlantic connections
From Montréal, Air Transat will serve a total of seven transatlantic destinations non-stop. From Montreal, routes to Lisbon and Malaga will see an increase in frequencies, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to providing increased access to its most popular European destinations. In addition, routes from Montreal to Marseille and Lyon will benefit from improved capacity, thanks to the use of larger aircraft, thus making it possible to meet the growing demand for these French destinations. The annualization of the Montreal-Marrakech service will also allow for continuous exploration of Morocco throughout the year.
On the Québec City side, an additional frequency will be added to Paris, offering three direct flights per week and strengthening access to this emblematic destination.
Destination
Departing from Montreal
Departing from Quebec City
LISBON – Portugal
4 (+2)
LYON – France
2
MALAGA – Spain
4 (+1)
MARRAKECH – Maroc
1
MARSEILLE – France
2
NANTES – France (until January 12, 2025)
2
PARIS – France
7
3 (+1)
Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season and variations compared to winter 2023-2024.
An offer for Florida lovers
Air Transat is strengthening its air routes to Florida by increasing frequencies on some of these routes. Flights from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando will benefit from one and two additional frequencies per week, respectively. These two destinations will continue to be accessible from Quebec City, with four flights per week to Fort Lauderdale and two flights per week to Orlando. These strategic adjustments make it easier to access Florida for all types of vacations, including cruises, thanks in part to optimized flight schedules.
Destination
Departing from Montreal
Departing from Quebec City
FORT LAUDERDALE
14 (+1)
4
ORLANDO
9 (+2)
2
Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season and variations compared to winter 2023-2024.
About Air Transat
Founded in Montreal 36 years ago, Air Transat is a leading travel brand voted by customers as the world’s best leisure airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards. Its program offers access to international destinations, mainly in Europe, the Caribbean, the East and West American coasts, South America and North Africa. Air Transat is recognized for its excellent customer service. Renewing its airline fleet with the most fuel-efficient aircraft in their class, Air Transat is committed to an environmentally conscious travel industry. Its head office is located in Montreal, with major airport hubs at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Pearson Airport (YYZ). It employs 5,000 people who share the same raison d’être, which is to reduce the distances between us. Air Transat is a subsidiary of Transat A.T. Inc. www.airtransat.com
QUÉBEC, April 23, 2024 /CNW/ – With booming traffic, an expanded map of destinations, customer experience recognized for its quality, safe infrastructure with the durability to welcome future generations, and a financial situation approaching balance, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) ended 2023 having solidified its position.
Approaching the break-even point
Thanks to passengers returning in droves and rigorous, careful financial management, YQB was able to achieve a remarkable feat: limiting losses to $1.21 million in 2023, rather than the estimated $9.8 million.
Increasing customer traffic
Traffic through YQB continued to trend upward, with an impressive 43.8% increase in passengers compared to 2022. A total of 1.68 million passengers passed through the airport’s doors in 2023, representing 94% of pre-pandemic traffic.
The organization attributes these results to the efforts it has made in collaboration with its business partners and the economic and tourism sectors of the greater Québec City area. In line with the 2020 forecasts, passenger traffic will probably not return to 2019 levels until 2025 or even 2026, with 2024 expected to be a stable year.
An expanded map of destinations
Thanks to the arrival of new players, the increased number of flights to popular destinations, and the willingness to take up the challenge of new destinations with long-standing partners, YQB has provided the population of the greater Québec City area and the entire eastern part of the province with access to even more destinations: 37 in total.
Flair Airlines: direct flights to Halifax and Edmonton in summer 2023
Air France: return of the Québec City-Paris route for a second summer in 2023
Air Transat: return of seasonal service to London
Air Canada: Québec City-Vancouver route extended through winter 2023–2024
Sunwing: new flight to Cayo Largo, Cuba
YQB has also forged an innovative partnership with Destination Québec cité. In September 2023, four Korean Air charter flights carrying almost a thousand South Korean tourists visited our magnificent region. These visitors generated over a million dollars in economic benefits for businesses in the Capitale-Nationale region and the rest of Québec, proving that collaboration and boldness produce results.
Additional services
Offering all the features of a large airport with the advantages of a small one extends to more than just the flight options. By partnering with Québec-based companies such as Blaxton Pub & Grill, Minute Pizza, Expedibox, and Atikuss, YQB has also ensured that the terminal remains as welcoming as possible and offers services that meet travellers’ expectations.
In addition, a new short-term parking area has been opened across from the terminal to provide more options and make life easier for those accompanying travellers. A hundred spaces have also been added to the outdoor parking area.
YQB received unexpected, prestigious recognition of the quality of its services following a survey that compared 120 airports worldwide, published in Protégez-Vous Magazine on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. YQB placed sixth in the magazine’s global rankings and first in Canada.
Building on our success
Over the past year, YQB has delivered on a number of major projects to ensure the durability of its facilities and meet passenger needs. Its teams have completed the first phase of work to rebuild the threshold of Runway 29 and renovate taxiways Golf and Hotel. Work resumed this spring with the aim of completing the project in 2024. YQB has also installed a one-way corridor at the international arrivals exit to improve traffic flow. These two projects, to name but a few, received financial support from the Government of Canada for up to 50% of the costs.
Over the next few years, YQB will face issues involving aging civil infrastructure on the airfield, capacity in certain key areas of the terminal, and equipment additions related to new regulations. Significant investments are anticipated in the coming years.
Looking ahead to the next five years
“As we complete the 2020–2025 strategic planning cycle, we can see that despite challenging circumstances and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, we have made significant progress since 2020. We gave ourselves a mission: to work hand in hand with the region’s driving forces and create the winning conditions to improve air service and sustain our growth. That’s what we aspired to do every day. Fortified by our strengthened business intelligence and the enthusiasm of our community, we’re in a much better position to face these challenges than we were five years ago. We’re ready to move on to the next stage, building on a foundation that’s growing stronger every day.” — Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
YQB embarked on its planning exercise for the next five years mindful of the fact that it is preparing to lay the foundation for decades to come. This major exercise will focus on stakeholder engagement and the pursuit of sustainable growth for the Québec City airport. In recent months, consultations have been held with representatives from throughout our community, including citizens of the greater Québec City area. This strategic planning must continue to reflect our business priorities, industry circumstances, and regional ambitions, in line with the work begun over the last five years.
“Looking back over the past year, the Board of Directors and I realize how privileged we are to play an active role in the success of YQB, an organization that is productive, modern, and has overwhelming and precious support from its community. At this stage, we will continue to rely on teamwork and the region’s strengths to support sustainable growth. Of course, our success must extend to all our stakeholders and passengers and have a positive impact on the region’s economy at the same time. No matter their role, everyone wants the airport to succeed. We’re all working towards the same goals, and we’re deeply grateful for that.” — André Boulanger, Chair of the Board, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
Highlights
An overall result of -$1.2 million, compared to the -$9.8 million estimated at the beginning of the year
1,688,736 passengers in 2023, 43.8% more than in 2022
94% of 2019 passenger traffic recovered
More travel options added in 2023:
New low-cost carrier, Flair Airlines
37 destinations, including two in Europe
Four charter flights from South Korea that brought over $1 million in spinoffs for the region
New service to Cayo Largo with Sunwing
New short-term parking area and hundreds of additional parking spaces
Minute Pizza, Atikuss, and Expedibox services added to the terminal and Blaxton Quebec Airport Pub & Grill expanded
About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.
QUÉBEC CITY, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ – Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Destination Québec cité are thrilled to announce a new direct route with American Airlines. Starting on August 10th, 2024, the world’s largest airline will connect YQB to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina, with one direct flight a week on Saturdays until November 2nd, 2024.
This route is joining American Airlines’ existing flights from Québec City to Philadelphia and Chicago, giving Québec City passengers more options for direct flights to a major hub in the carrier’s network in the U.S. In particular, it will help develop new markets, mainly in California, Texas, Southeastern U.S., and Florida.
Québec City has positioned itself as a must-see tourist destination for Americans, and the United States represents the city’s biggest international market. What’s more, this new fall link will be of great benefit to American cruise passengers. The 18 round-trip flights planned throughout the fall will link Québec City to the major hub that is Charlotte, making Québec City much more accessible during peak cruise season.
QUOTES “We are delighted to add this flight to an important American Airlines hub, the world’s largest airline in terms of passenger volume. Americans adore fall in Québec, so American Airlines is improving its service between the United States and Québec City by adding Charlotte to its list of connections, which already features Philadelphia and Chicago. What’s more, this new route aligns with our mission to give greater Québec City area travellers even more options, and to provide better connections to destinations such as the Caribbean, Europe, and the whole of the United States.” — Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB
“American’s new direct service between Québec City and Charlotte is excellent news for our destination. It opens doors to three major U.S. markets: Texas, Florida, and California, an area of great potential for the region. The link also makes Québec City more accessible to cruise passengers, allowing us to better manage tourist seasons and lowering the carbon footprint from connections. Adding more flights to and from the United States strengthens our position in our largest international market, which will generate lasting economic benefits for the entire tourism industry.” — Robert Mercure, Director of Destination Québec cité
“We’re excited to be connecting Québec City and Charlotte as we continue expanding our global footprint, providing travellers from all corners of the globe with more opportunities to explore. Charlotte is wonderful destination and a key hub for our network, so we look forward to adding Québec to its growing roster of destinations as we further connect Canada and the United States.” — José Freig, Vice President International Operations of American Airlines
About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.
About Destination Québec cité Destination Québec cité counts more than 825 members from an area covering Québec City, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake and the regional county municipalities of Portneuf, Jacques-Cartier, Île-d’Orléans and Côte-de-Beaupré. In short, Destination Québec cité shapes and stimulates the growth of the tourism industry and contributes to its economic prosperity through marketing, development, welcoming tourists and informing the community.
TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2024 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines is launching daily, round-trip service between Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) starting May 17. Initially planned as a seasonal addition to Porter’s schedule, the new route is set to run until October 26.
This service complements existing Porter flights between Québec City and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, giving passengers more options when travelling between the two destinations and many connecting options across Canada. Through Toronto Pearson, this route connects to Western Canada destinations such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Flying on the new Embraer E195-E2, all passengers will appreciate Porter’s elevated economy experience with no middle seats, complimentary beer and wine served in real glassware, free premium snacks, and free and fast WiFi.
The flight schedule is as follows:
Route
Departure
Arrival
Toronto Pearson – Québec City Québec City – Toronto Pearson
9:00 a.m. 11:20 a.m.
10:25 a.m. 12:53 p.m.
All times are local
PorterReserve passengers can enjoy an expedited airport experience with priority check in and boarding, extra legroom seats, and premium pre-mixed cocktails. All of these features are available à la carte to PorterClassic passengers.
Detailed schedules and Porter Escapes vacation packages can be found on www.flyporter.com.
Quotes
“This new service will more than double our capacity between Toronto and Québec City, and gives passengers more opportunities to choose our elevated economy experience on the route. Being able to choose flights at Billy Bishop and Pearson demonstrates the range of choice that travellers have when flying to and from Toronto, with Porter having significant presence at both airports.”
– Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines
“We are delighted that Porter will be offering a brand-new daily service to Toronto Pearson from Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) this summer. The addition of this daily flight to the Canadian hub is directly in line with our objective to offer more options to travellers in the greater Québec City region, in addition to providing excellent connectivity to popular destinations in Western Canada and the United States.”
– Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport
About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com.
QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lynx Air (Lynx), today announced further expansion in Eastern Canada and Quebec with the addition of Quebec City to its network from June 6, 2024, offering affordable links to Alberta and British Columbia.
After the tremendous success of its flights from Montreal, Canada’s new ultra-affordable airline will offer six flights a week to/from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and 10 flights a week to/from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Calgary International Airport (YYC), expanding its network in Quebec. The Quebec City – Vancouver service will operate as a “through flight” via Calgary, providing a seamless service with a single boarding pass and the ability to check bags through to the final destination.
Tickets go on sale today, and the fares are truly ultra-affordable, starting from $129* one way Calgary to/from Quebec City and $199* one way Quebec City to/from Vancouver, including taxes and fees. To celebrate, Lynx has launched a limited-time seat sale, offering up to 35 per cent off base fares on all routes. The sale will run from January 11, 2024, ending at 11:59 PM EDT on January 14, 2024, and can be accessed with the promo code: QUEBEC. For complete details and to book an ultra-affordable fare, visit FlyLynx.com.
“We are excited to be adding Quebec City to our rapidly expanding network,” said Vijay Bathija, Chief Commercial Officer of Lynx. “Our strategy is to fly to destinations where airfares are high, and low-cost options are limited, and Quebec City, the capital city of Quebec, will be another opportunity for Lynx to expand in the east and serve these high fare markets. By offering ultra-affordable fares, we aim to inspire more Canadians to travel to see their favourite people and explore new places.”
“We’re very pleased to be part of Lynx’s expanding network, starting next summer. People in Québec City and throughout the eastern part of the province will be able to take advantage of new options for visiting Calgary and Vancouver, two popular destinations in Western Canada. The addition of affordable flights to the Lynx network is directly in line with our objective of offering even more options to local travellers, as well as being a direct gateway for tourists to the magnificent Québec City region,” says Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport.
“Quebec City offers travellers an exciting opportunity to connect with Quebec’s rich culture and deep history, and we are excited to welcome this new route from Lynx Air to YYC and offer Albertans another option to travel to one of Canada’s most sought after destinations,” says Chris Miles, Chief Operating Officer at The Calgary Airport Authority. “As Lynx’s rapid expansion across Canada continues, we are proud to be an integral part of its operation and continue working together to provide exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Lynx’s Quebec City Schedule
Effective Date
Frequency
DepartureStation
ArrivalStation
6-JUN-24
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
6-JUN-24
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
6-JUN-24
Tuesday /Thursday /Sunday
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
**Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
6-JUN-24
Tuesday /Thursday /Sunday
**Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
Please note that dates are subject to change. Please visit the website for full schedule details.
* Available for a limited time; fares are accurate at the time of release and include taxes and fees, restrictions apply. **Operating as through flights with a single boarding pass and baggage transferred to the final destination.
About Lynx Air
Lynx Air (Lynx), Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost airline, is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all, with ultra-affordable fares and a customer-focused flying experience. The airline was recently awarded Youngest Fleet in North America by ch-aviation. Lynx operates a brand-new fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, bringing an elevated customer experience to low-cost travel in Canada. These ultra-efficient and reliable aircraft reduce Lynx’s carbon footprint, making Lynx one of Canada’s most sustainable airlines. Lynx is a privately owned Canadian airline with the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape.
The airline will offer direct flights to Lima year-round
More than 40 additional weekly flights will be offered at the peak of the season
MONTREAL, Oct. 5, 2023 /CNW/ – Air Transat, voted World’s Best Leisure Airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, is pleased to present its 2024 summer flight program from Montreal and Quebec City. This schedule reflects a significant recovery, particularly in its key markets of Europe and the South. At the peak of the season, the airline will offer more than 180 weekly direct flights, serving nearly 40 destinations. Newly added direct flights to Lima in Peru will now be offered year-round.
“By strengthening our frequency of flights to promising markets, expanding our presence in Europe, the U.S. and the South, and reducing the seasonality of our operations, we are well positioned to maximize our revenues and market share in Quebec,” said Michèle Barre, Transat’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We are committed to continuing our growth and investing in the quality of our in-flight service, for which we have been renowned for more than 35 years.”
Greater presence on the Old Continent
Air Transat continues to improve its offer on the European market by increasing the frequency of its flights to France, Belgium, the UK, Portugal and Spain throughout the season, in order to offer its customers greater travel flexibility.
From Montreal, the airline will serve nearly 20 European destinations with direct flights. More weekly flights to most French provinces will be added, ensuring a daily presence in Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille. Daily service will also be offered to Barcelona with the addition of three weekly flights.
As for Quebec City, the company will add an extra flight to its service to the City of Light, bringing the number of weekly direct flights to four.
Destination
From Montreal
From Quebec City
AMSTERDAM – Netherlands
3
ATHENS – Greece
4
BALE-MULHOUSE – Switzerland
2
BARCELONA – Spain
7 (+3)
BORDEAUX – France
7 (+2)
BRUSSELS – Belgium
4 (+1)
LISBON – Portugal
6
LONDON – England
7
1
LYON – France
7 (+1)
MADRID – Spain
4
MALAGA – Spain
3 (+1)
MARSEILLE – France
7 (+1)
NANTES – France
6 (+2)
NICE – France
4 (+1)
PARIS – France
17 (+3)
4 (+1)
PORTO – Portugal
4 (+1)
ROME – Italy
7
TOULOUSE – France
5
VENICE – Italy
2
Number of weekly flights during peak season and changes compared to 2023
Year-round sun destinations
In an effort to offer more options to sun lovers, while continuing to reduce the seasonality of its operations in the South, Air Transat will increase the frequency of its flights from Montreal to almost all of its Southern destinations.
In addition, the airline will annualize its flights to Lima, Peru, allowing travel enthusiasts to discover this fascinating destination throughout the year.
Destination
From Montreal
From Quebec City
CANCUN – Mexico
8 (+1)
1
CAYO COCO - Cuba
4 (+1)
HOLGUIN - Cuba
3 (+1)
LIMA – Peru
1 (+1)
MONTEGO BAY - Jamaica
2 (+1)
PORT-AU-PRINCE – Haiti
2 (+1)
PUERTO PLATA – Dominican Republic
3 (+1)
PUERTO VALLARTA – Mexico
2
PUNTA CANA – Dominican Republic
8 (+1)
1
SAMANA – Dominican Republic
2
SANTA CLARA - Cuba
2 (+1)
VARADERO - Cuba
5 (+2)
Number of weekly flights during peak season and changes compared to 2023
Florida and California even more accessible
Finally, to further enhance its service to the United States, Air Transat will be significantly increasing all its flights to Florida. For instance, daily flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando will now be offered. An additional direct flight to Los Angeles, California will also be added.
Destination
From Montreal
From Quebec City
FORT LAUDERDALE – Florida
7 (+3)
1 (+1)
LOS ANGELES – California
5 (+1)
MIAMI – Florida
5 (+2)
ORLANDO – Florida
7 (+4)
SAN FRANCISCO – California
3
Number of weekly flights during peak season and changes compared to 2023
About Air Transat
Founded in Montreal 35 years ago, Air Transat is a leading travel brand. Its program offers access to international destinations, mainly in Europe, the Caribbean and the East and West coasts of the U.S. Voted Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Air Transat is recognized for its excellent customer service. By renewing its fleet with the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category, Air Transat is committed to a more sustainable industry. Based in Montréal with major hubs in Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), it has near 5,000 employees with a common purpose to bring people closer together. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ). www.airtransat.com
QUÉBEC CITY, Sept. 27, 2023 /CNW/ – Today, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Destination Québec cité (DQc) welcomed the first Korean tourists visiting Québec City as part of a new partnership with Korean tour operator Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd., which was announced last May. Four direct flights from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport will be landing at YQB in the coming weeks. As a result, the greater Québec City area will benefit from hosting almost a thousand additional Korean tourists this autumn.
The 260-seat Boeing 777-300ER, operated by Korean Air and chartered by tour operator Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd., landed in Québec City this afternoon. When the passengers arrived, a whole delegation was on hand to welcome them, including the Mayor of Québec City, Bruno Marchand, and the equally famous Bonhomme Carnaval! The atmosphere was festive as local gifts were presented to the passengers and crew.
OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC SPINOFFS
Based on various data on Koreans’ average tourism spending in Québec, the partnership with Korean tour operator Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd. is expected to generate over $1 million in economic spinoffs for the Québec City area alone. Passengers will spend three nights in the region, discovering the charms of the Capitale-Nationale.
QUOTES
“The very first flight from Seoul arriving at YQB is the culmination of months of work and represents a major achievement for our region. We’re committed to seizing every opportunity to generate growth for the benefit of the region. Together with our partners in the tourism industry, we’ve pooled our resources and our energies, and now we’re reaping the rewards of this extraordinary collaboration. We’re very proud to celebrate the arrival of these flights today.” — Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB
“Today is a great day, for both Québec City International Airport and the city as a whole. Québec City’s Korean tourist market has been experiencing significant growth, particularly since the release of Goblin. The Québec City region has become a destination of choice for many travellers in search of unique cultural experiences, delicious cuisine, and captivating scenery. The influx of South Korean visitors represents a major economic opportunity for Québec, bolstering the hotel, restaurant, retail, and tourism services industries. Furthermore, new flights coming to Québec City as part of the collaboration with tour operator Hanjin is excellent news for strengthening ties. The flights will make travel easier for Koreans, opening up new possibilities for tourism spinoffs. They will also strengthen the Québec City airport’s international connectivity, contributing to the region’s tourism boom and economic development.” — Robert Mercure, Director of Destination Québec cité
“It’s a great day for our capital. Once again, we’re demonstrating our openness to the world, with the warm welcome that we’re renowned for across the globe. It’s a real pleasure for us to be able to offer our visitors a precious emotional moment, thanks to the expertise of our local players in the tourism industry. YQB and Destination Québec cité’s ongoing efforts are helping us maintain our invaluable place in the world of tourism. Enjoy your stay in our wonderful city!” — Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City
About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.
About Destination Québec cité
Destination Québec cité has over 825 members spread across a territory that includes Québec City, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake, and the surrounding areas of Portneuf, La Jacques-Cartier, Île d’Orléans, and Côte-de-Beaupré.
QUÉBEC CITY, May 29, 2023 /CNW/ – Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Destination Québec cité (DQc) are pleased to announce that Québec City will be welcoming nearly a thousand additional Korean tourists this fall.
Thanks to a new partnership with Korean tour operator Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd., four direct flights from Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, will land at YQB between September 27 and October 18, 2023. Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd. will charter a 260-seat Boeing 777-300ER from Korean Air for these trips. Passengers will spend three nights in local hotels.
AN ESTABLISHED LOVE STORY
Seven years ago, the Québec City region received an outpouring of love from the South Korean tourism market with the release of the series Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (도깨비). To Koreans, it was love at first sight for the destination; the red door of the Théâtre le Petit Champlain and the mailbox of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac quickly became some of their most photographed landmarks.
In this way, the hit series, which was filmed in Québec City in the fall of 2016 and broadcast in 2017, remains an important showcase for Québec City in Asia and beyond. To date, the series has been viewed an estimated 2.9 billion times; its intro, which features several images of Québec City, has also broken a record with more than 433 million views.
Thanks to this show, the region has since played host to several South Korean film shoots and other media activities. The most recent, which was broadcast on the KBS channel last November, has reached over 3 million viewers so far.
The series also led to a close partnership with the Québec Government Bureau in Seoul, which installed a replica of the famous red door as part of a promotion for Goblin’s fifth anniversary.
A LUCRATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Based on various data on Koreans’ average tourism spending in Québec, the partnership with Korean tour operator Hanjin Travel Co., Ltd. is expected to generate over $1 million in economic spinoffs for the Québec City region alone.
QUOTES
“Today’s announcement fully aligns with the objectives we’ve set ourselves. We’re committed to seizing every opportunity to develop our air service and generate growth for the benefit of the region. Together with our partners in the tourism industry, we’ve pooled our resources and our energies, and now we’re reaping the rewards of this extraordinary collaboration. We are extremely proud to be welcoming over a thousand Korean travellers this fall as the direct gateway to the national capital and the province as a whole.” — Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB
“Québec City’s tourism industry had a front-row seat to the outpouring of love for Québec that started as soon as Goblin was released, which allowed us to welcome many South Korean visitors. This is why it was so important for us to maintain and strengthen this bond by remaining visible to the Korean market in several ways: participating in missions in collaboration with the Québec Government Bureau in Seoul, implementing content marketing promotional campaigns, and bringing on a strong cultural ambassador (Steve Barakatt). Destination Québec cité would like to thank all its partners, including Destination Canada, the Québec City Airport, the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, and the Québec Government Bureau in Seoul, to name but a few, for helping to make this wonderful opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with the South Korean market come to life. To all future visitors aboard those flights, we extend a warm welcome and promise to provide a memorable sightseeing experience.” — Robert Mercure, Director of Destination Québec cité
“South Korea is one of the emerging markets that our government is targeting to bring more foreign tourists to Québec. Our Capitale-Nationale, with its longstanding reputation for hospitality, has a lot to offer guests from here and around the world. Visits from these tourists will help grow our industry and boost the economic benefits from tourism for Québec. We will continue working with our partners to encourage these kinds of initiatives, which are a boon for our tourism industry. It’s an outstanding collaboration.” — Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region
“Québec City continues to be a leader as a must-see tourist destination in North America. We will continue to develop important links like these with our Korean partners. Our visitors will get to enjoy one of the warmest welcomes in the world and delight in our uniqueness, our heritage, and our traditions. Our commitment to providing you with a memorable tourism experience remains unchanged. Welcome to our home!” — Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City
“As Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Quebec, I am delighted with the creation of charter flights between Seoul and the Old Capital. In recent years, Québec City has become a very popular destination for Koreans wishing to enjoy its vibrant culture and enchanting natural environment. These flights will undoubtedly strengthen the bonds of friendship that already unite Quebecers and Koreans, as well as their economic prosperity for years to come.“ — Jae Wan Lee, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Quebec
“I am thrilled with the launch of the first-ever chartered flights to Québec City from South Korea this fall. Québec City is one of the top destinations that South Korean travellers wish to travel to in Canada and they will be able to enjoy what Québec has to offer a lot more easily with these direct flights and Québec-only products. The success of the Korean drama filmed in Québec City led to this amazing event and I look forward to this leading to further business opportunities in the future.“ — Anna Lee, General Manager, Destination Canada GSA Korea
About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec Inc., a private corporation responsible for the airport’s management, operation, maintenance, and development since November 1, 2000. Around a dozen carriers offer flights from YQB to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.
About Destination Québec cité
Destination Québec cité has over 825 members spread across a territory that includes Québec City, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake, and the surrounding areas of Portneuf, La Jacques-Cartier, Île d’Orléans, and Côte-de-Beaupré.
MONTREAL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Screening officers at various Quebec airports have ratified new two-year labour contracts that include 12.5% wage increases retroactive to March 2022. For the first time ever, Quebec screening officers, i.e., at the Dorval and Quebec City airports and the 12 regional airports, bargained as a common front.
Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union spokespersons elatedly reported that “Quebec’s screening officers have the best conditions in Canada. Negotiations were long and arduous, but we’re happy with the results. We’re proud of the fact that we negotiated as a united front and stood together all the way to the end; this helped lift everyone up. And negotiations will resume in less than a year. Before you know it, the process will start up all over again so that we can keep up with inflation,” explained Marc Bourget, President of Local Union 9554, which represents the 987 Montreal airport screening officers.
A night premium has also been introduced at the Montreal airport. The wage enhancements will also apply retroactively to all forms of compensation (including overtime, holidays, vacations and pensions).
There is also an increase in personal floater leaves, some of which are paid. In addition, the employer’s contribution to the insurance plan has increased. A signing bonus of $1,200 will be paid to regular workers and $600 to part-time workers.
In accordance with new federal regulations, ten paid sick days are now included in the contract. It should be noted that negotiations included the provision that screening officers will be able to take their ten sick days at the start of the year and that eight of these days can be paid at the end of the year if not used.
“This is clearly the best contract negotiated to date at regional airports. The common table bargaining format was a good thing for the regions,” noted Mario Boulianne, President of the Regional Airports Bargaining Unit (Local 1976).
It should be pointed out that at regional airports where shifts have been cut, a 50-cent-per-hour premium will be implemented. Airfare allowances for those who work at remote airports have been increased.
At the Quebec City airport, the 170 screening officers will now enjoy increased vacation time, and a student status has been introduced to facilitate work-study balance. A reclassification committee has been set up for workers with limitations. Officers certified to operate certain types of equipment will be entitled to a bonus.
“We are happy with the outcome of the negotiations and are already preparing for the next round, which will be in less than a year,” said Sébastien Boilard, President of the unit that represents Quebec City members (Local 1976).
Affiliated with the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), the Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers is the largest private-sector union in Quebec, representing more than 60,000 workers in all sectors of the economy.
