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Tag: Boeing 787

  • WestJet secures its largest-ever aircraft order with Boeing

    Sizeable aircraft order to be delivered through 2034 as part of airline’s multi-billion-dollar investment in future growth

    CALGARY, AB, Sept. 3, 2025 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 60 737-10 MAX narrowbody aircraft, with options for an additional 25. The order also includes seven 787-9 Dreamliner widebody aircraft with options for four more as the company advances its growth strategy to build a stronger, resilient low-cost airline that provides Canadians with more choice, more destinations and more value.

    This order increases the airline’s current order book, to 123 aircraft and 40 options, while extending WestJet’s fleet growth plans through 2034.

    “With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians from coast to coast and exciting career paths for our people,” said WestJet Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech. “These highly efficient and comfortable aircraft are critical to the growth and renewal of our fleet and will also significantly improve our fuel consumption.”

    Since the airline’s inception in 1996, WestJet has been safely and reliably serving millions of Canadians onboard Boeing aircraft. This substantial commitment to WestJet’s growth will allow the airline to continue to build its network and offer affordable options for guests for years to come.

    “We are honored that WestJet has once again placed its trust in Boeing with a major investment that builds on our three decades of partnership and solidifies their fleet for the decades ahead,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to supporting WestJet’s exciting growth as they leverage the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to serve even more guests with great efficiency and comfort.”

    The deal marks future economic benefits on both sides of the border. Canada is one of Boeing’s largest international supply bases, providing aerospace parts for all Boeing commercial airplane models in production, contributing $4 billion in economic benefit to Canada each year, while securing long-term manufacturing jobs in both Canada and the United States.

    “This agreement between WestJet and Boeing reflects a pragmatic approach to doing business, creating new opportunities, economic benefits, and long-term jobs on both sides of the border, while ensuring that WestJet is well-equipped to grow, offer more options for passengers, and better connect Canadians,” said the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.

    Building on WestJet’s already significant investment in its home province Alberta, the airline is continuing to invest and grow its commitment to the province.

    “I’m thrilled to see this historic purchase agreement between WestJet and Boeing. Not only does this represent WestJet’s largest-ever aircraft order, but it also reinforces Alberta’s growing reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a leading aerospace and aviation hub. Alberta remains a place where businesses can grow and thrive for the future. Alberta’s government continues to be a proud partner of WestJet, including recent support for Lufthansa’s milestone engine repair facility investment.” – Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith

    WestJet currently operates 193 passenger aircraft, inclusive of 147 Boeing 737s, seven 787s and 39 De Havilland Q400s. With an average age of approximately 10 years, WestJet’s fleet is among the youngest of established North American carriers.

    WestJet’s Board of Directors approved the order for additional Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft to mark the airline’s largest order agreement to-date, and the largest-ever Canadian Boeing order.

    About WestJet

    WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

    As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada’s leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.

    Learn more about WestJet at westjet.com/en-ca/who-we-are (also available in French)

  • The WestJet Group boosts Calgary’s global connectivity through enhanced Winter 787 Schedule

    Airline expands connections to Asia with introduction of year-round service to Tokyo

    787 Dreamliners provide access to more leisure and sun destinations with enhanced service to London, Paris, Mexico and Hawaii

    CALGARY, AB, May 13, 2024 /CNW/ – The WestJet Group today announced significant enhancements to its transoceanic and leisure travel offering with its winter 787 schedule, revealing expanded year-round service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and an increase to daily connectivity between Calgary and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International (CDG) and London Heathrow International (LHR) Airports. As The WestJet Group continues to fortify its position as Canada’s leisure travel champion, the airline is also enhancing its 787 presence on popular leisure routes with service between Canada, Mexico and Hawaii.

    The WestJet Group boosts Calgary’s global connectivity through enhanced Winter 787 Schedule (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “Our 787 winter schedule reflects the growing demand for year-round international options for business and leisure travellers from our global hub in Calgary to Asia, Europe, and North America,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We will continue to strategically position our Dreamliners to provide the best global access between Western Canada and the world.”

    Year-round service to Tokyo, Unlocked

    Building on the existing summer seasonal service, WestJet is investing in year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo. The service enhancement is a strategic milestone for the airline, bringing more visitors to Alberta and strengthening global tourism opportunities, while preserving Calgary’s position as the most connected mid-sized city in North America. Through WestJet’s longstanding codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines guests will also have access to seven destinations beyond Tokyo.

    “This winter, WestJet will fly more than 60,000 seats between Asia and Alberta, creating a catalyst for year-round collaboration between our two unique economies and tourism hubs,” continued Weatherill. “This route has proven to be an exceptional conduit for transpacific leisure and business travellers connecting to Calgary and Alberta.”

    RouteFrequencyStart Date
    Calgary-Tokyo3x weeklyOctober 27, 2024

    Strengthened year-round service to Europe

    This winter, WestJet is bolstering its European winter service offering with daily connectivity to both London and Paris from the airline’s global hub in Calgary. While these routes were previously served throughout the winter, frequency to Paris has been increased to daily to match London, and to meet the unprecedented demand for business and leisure travel between Western Canada and Europe. Guests will also benefit from WestJet’s codeshare agreement with Air France, which unlocks 53 additional European destinations beyond Paris.

    RouteFrequencyStart Date
    Calgary-London7x weeklyOctober 27, 2024
    Calgary-Paris7x weeklyOctober 27, 2024

    Leading the nation in leisure, adding more access to Mexico

    In line with The WestJet Group’s strategy, the airline is committed to providing Canadians with more affordable leisure travel options than any other carrier in the country. This winter, the airline is deploying its 787 aircraft on some of its most in-demand leisure routes, including doubling its capacity between Calgary and Cancun to twice daily and increasing to daily service between Calgary and Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, the airline will continue to offer daily 787 service between Toronto and Cancun and three times weekly service between Calgary and Honolulu.

    RouteFrequencyStart Date
    Calgary-Cancun13x weeklyOctober 28, 2024
    Calgary-Puerto Vallarta7x weeklyNovember 11, 2024
    Calgary-Honolulu3x weeklyNovember 16, 2024
    Toronto-Cancun7x weeklyOctober 28, 2024

    About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

    As the largest aircraft in WestJet’s fleet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can fly intercontinental journeys, carrying up to 320 guests per flight, making it ideal for European, Asian and high-demand routes. It features a three-cabin configuration to serve a variety of guest needs, and spacious seats with entertainment systems at every seat for added comfort.

    About WestJet

    In 28 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 26 countries. 

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. 

  • Air Canada Introduces a magical new livery, featuring the characters from Disney’s epic musical comedy “Wish”,

  • Air Canada to Acquire 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner Aircraft under ongoing Fleet Renewal and Fuel Efficiency Drive

    • Firm order for 18 aircraft and 12 options; first delivery scheduled for late 2025
    • Aircraft to feature new, state-of-the-art interior cabin design
    • Air Canada converts two Boeing 777 freighter orders to passenger aircraft

    MONTREAL, Sept. 25, 2023 /CNW/ – Air Canada today said it has placed a firm order with The Boeing Company for 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft. Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in Q4 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q1 2027.  They will be used to replace older, less efficient wide-body aircraft currently in the Air Canada fleet. The agreement also includes options for another 12 Boeing 787-10 aircraft, which will provide flexibility for growth to meet future customer demand.  

    “Air Canada has made investing in the passenger experience a core priority. Our experience shows customers greatly enjoy flying on the Dreamliner, so we are pleased to offer them a larger version of this popular aircraft, which will premiere a new, state-of-the-art interior cabin design. As importantly, the 787 is highly fuel efficient and will generate operational savings as well as support our sustainability goals of reducing emissions,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

    Air Canada currently operates 30 787-9 and eight 787-8 versions of the Dreamliner, with two more 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery from a previous order. The 787-10 is the largest model of the Dreamliner family and can carry more than 330 customers depending on the seat configuration, and has 175 cubic meters (6,187 cubic feet) of cargo volume. The Dreamliner provides exceptional passenger comfort with enhanced cabin pressurization and humidity controls, and the largest dimmable windows of any commercial aircraft.  According to Boeing, the 787-10 has up to 25 per cent lower fuel emissions per seat than the aircraft it replaces.

    Fleet Renewal

    The acquisition of the new aircraft is part of an ongoing fleet renewal program at Air Canada, with the airline continuing to take delivery of new Airbus A220 aircraft, as well as plans to acquire 28 extra-long range (XLR) versions of the Airbus A321neo aircraft, also beginning in 2025.  In addition, as previously announced, Air Canada has finalized a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft under development by Heart Aerospace, which are expected to enter service in 2028.

    The Boeing 787-10 aircraft order announced with Boeing today substitutes for a previously announced agreement to purchase two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft and, as a result, Air Canada will no longer take delivery of the two freighters. In total, Air Canada currently operates approximately 240 aircraft in its mainline and Air Canada Rouge fleet.

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft.  Air Canada aims to achieve an ambitious net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.

  • WestJet adds 31 additional European cities to its network through enhanced Air France codeshare agreement

    Starting September 25, Canadians can connect from Paris to more than 53 European destinations with the convenience of a one ticket journey

    CALGARY, AB, Sept. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced that beginning September 25, 2023, its guests will gain access to 31 additional cities across 11 European countries from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) through an expansion of WestJet’s codeshare agreement with Air France.

    As a result of a successful 10-year partnership, the two airlines have connected millions of travellers between Canada and Europe with the convenience of one-ticket and the ability to earn WestJet Dollars throughout their entire journey. Previously, WestJet and Air France’s code share agreement included 22 destinations through Charles De Gaulle Airport, all of which will be maintained as the number of onward destinations in Europe now grows to 53 which will be accessible as part of the WestJet network.

    New Destinations available as part of WestJet's network via Air France codeshare (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “WestJet is thrilled to more than double our current destination offerings through our Air France codeshare agreement, significantly expanding opportunities for Canadians to turn their dream European getaways into a reality,” shared Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Commercial Development.

    Due to exceptional demand for its seasonal service to the city of love, WestJet has extended service between Calgary and Paris to now operate year-round. The once seasonal route will continue to fly on WestJet’s 787 Dreamliner up to seven days per week during peak travel periods and function as the ideal connection hub for our guests to seamlessly connect onto Air France to these additional destinations.

    “As we prepare for our first year of winter flying to Paris, today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our partnership with Air France, that will bolster seamless connectivity between Canada and desirable destinations such as Nice in the south of France, Helsinki in Finland and sunny Valencia in Spain,” continued Avery.

    “Air France and WestJet have a long-standing and extensive relationship with already more than 23 destinations offered across Canada under Air France code. With this development we are expanding the cooperation further and are honored to welcome WestJet’s guests onboard our European network.” shared Fahmi Mahjoub, Air France KLM Senior Vice-President, Alliances.

    About WestJet

    In 27 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees serving more than 100 destinations in 26 countries.

    For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. 

  • Air Canada to resume Edinburgh-Toronto service this summer

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  • Securing the future: how a growing, stronger, sustainable WestJet benefits Canadians WestJet

    By WestJet | June 16, 2022 | 6 min read

    The WestJet Group’s strategic path forward for our guests, employees and the communities we serve

    The WestJet Group yesterday brought together leaders, representing all parts of the operations and business, to hear directly from Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alexis von Hoensbroech, as he shared plans for growth into the COVID recovery, and the airline’s commitment to embracing its cost-conscious roots in service of affordable air travel for Canadians.

    “The immediate priority is to ensure we are ready for the high volume of pent-up travel demand this summer,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group. “Equally important is charting a path that continues to grow WestJet as the friendly, reliable and affordable airline our guests know and love.”

    Since arriving on February 15, 2022, von Hoensbroech spent his first 100 days getting to know the airline’s people, guests and network. Joining at a critical inflection point as the WestJet Group emerges from the pandemic, the executive team around von Hoensbroech and WestJet’s board of directors undertook a strategic review to determine the best course for sustained future success for the airline and its people.

    “WestJet is strong foundationally, having weathered the pandemic as perhaps the world’s only airline of scale that did not accept sector-specific government funding or issue any new equity or debt. We’re now at an exciting and pivotal moment for the industry and our airline,” continued von Hoensbroech. “As we emerge from the pandemic, the world around us is changing with rising inflation and instability from the war in Ukraine. We are also facing industry-specific challenges, including spiking oil prices and staffing shortages at airports.”

    The WestJet Group’s strategic growth plans

    Through the strategic review, the airline looked to historical strengths to secure future success, honing in on a focused network and strategy; an unrelenting cost commitment; and a consistent, superior guest experience.

    To build upon the reasons why guests choose WestJet and drive future growth, WestJet will renew its focus on:

    • Growth as a low-cost carrier that is friendly, reliable and modern
    • Shifting resources to significantly grow its presence and network in the West, fostering its undisputed status as the home-team carrier of Western Canada offering more direct, non-stop flights to communities
    • Investing further in leisure and sun flying as a priority across Canada, including through the acquisition of Sunwing, following regulatory approval
    • Investing in technology and radical digitalization to improve guest experience and simplify internal processes to ensure meaningful and engaging jobs for its people
    • Redoubling efforts to maintain its successful and highly productive low-cost structure and culture, to ensure relentless competitiveness and affordability for guests

    To match its commercial strategies, the airline will centre its existing widebody 787 Dreamliner fleet around Western Canada and, for the time being, pause further investment into incremental Dreamliners to focus instead on additional narrowbody growth. In addition to the more than 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that the airline will receive over the coming years, including 15 in 2022 alone, WestJet is working towards a substantial additional narrow body order.

    The airline will maintain its current premium offerings, with a focus on strengthening its premium leisure segment and corporate premium in the West. The focus of WestJet’s regional fleet of De Haviland Q400 aircraft will be shifted and rightsized to focus on Western Canada, removing complexity from operations, and prioritizing the airline’s commitment to enhance Western Canada’s connectivity.

    Network changes are complex and will be phased in over an extended period of time. The airline is committed to engaging with communities and stakeholders in these plans. Guests can anticipate seeing changes gradually implemented by summer 2023.

    “We will deploy our aircraft where they can be of greatest service to Canadians,” explained von Hoensbroech. “While we will be investing the majority of our fleet in the West, as a national airline we will maintain a significant presence in the Eastern provinces, primarily through direct connections to our Western cities, while significantly enhancing our network to leisure and sun destinations, including through our acquisition of Sunwing.”

    WestJet will also continue to significantly scale other areas of the business that remain critical, namely WestJet Cargo, Loyalty, WestJet Vacations and Swoop, it’s ultra-low-cost carrier. The acquisition of Sunwing will facilitate the scaling of WestJet Vacations and Swoop.

    “Swoop is an important part of our strategy with a tremendous cost structure, and we still have plenty of room to grow and bring lower fares to our guests,” added von Hoensbroech. “WestJet and Swoop will run more complementary networks and collectively meet the demand of leisure travellers.”

    Strengthening the airline’s leadership team, the WestJet Group announced the addition of Bob Cummings as President of Swoop on April 13, along with Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice-President, Cargo on April 5 and Karl Schuster, Executive Vice-President and Chief Loyalty Officer late last year.

    “WestJet’s low-cost roots have been the foundation of the historical success of our company. As we realize our ambitious growth plans, we will bring more air service to Canadian communities and connect more people to what matters most, through friendly and affordable air travel,” concluded von Hoensbroech.

    Strengthening the airline’s senior leadership team

    To support the fulfillment of its strategic direction, the airline has further strengthened its senior leadership team with a number of new appointments:

    Angela Avery, Group EVP and Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer

    Angela Avery joined WestJet in February 2020 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In her newly expanded role, she brings together complementary teams including People and Culture, Communications, Legal, Government, Regulatory, Community Investment, and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). Avery will be leading an inclusive, engaged and purpose-led team focused on supporting all aspects of WestJet’s business and meeting the needs of the communities that the WestJet Group serves.

    With more than 25 years of legal and commercial leadership experience across multiple industries, Avery has led transactions totalling more than $25 billion and has an extensive regulatory and compliance background. Avery joined WestJet from Athabasca Oil Corporation where she was responsible for legal, business development, human resources as well as marketing and transportation. Her international experience includes an appointment to litigate war reparations at the United Nations. She is called to the bar in New York and Alberta and received a Queen’s Counsel designation in 2022.

    Christian Novosel, Chief Digital Officer

    Christian Novosel will join the executive leadership team in August. Responsible for Digital Technology Delivery, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence and the Group Project Management Office, he will be integral to the ongoing development and delivery of WestJet’s enterprise-wide digital transformation for both its guests and people.

    Novosel joins WestJet with almost 20 years of aviation experience most recently serving as Head of Corporate Development and Chief Data Officer for Austrian Airlines. In this role, he established the airline’s centralized digital team and led several strategic and innovating processes to implement digital solutions across the organization.

    Natalie Farand, Chief Experience Officer

    Natalie Farand will take on the newly created role of Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Led by Farand, the CXO team will define WestJet’s value proposition and enable WestJet to successfully engage stakeholders to activate a guest-centric vision and strategy.

    In her eight years with WestJet, and most recently as WestJet’s Vice-President Guest Experience, Farand has led many digital functions from eCommerce, User Experience, Digital Marketing and Analytics. Farand introduced the User Experience discipline within WestJet, putting focus on the voice of the guest, and was responsible for the Digital Channel and Product strategic roadmaps and operations at WestJet, including the website, mobile app, chatbot, inflight entertainment system and eCommerce platforms.

    Jeff Hagen, Vice-President Strategy and Fleet

    Jeff Hagen, already part of the WestJet leadership team, will take on a new role as Vice-President, Strategy and Fleet. Responsible for leading WestJet’s strategic transformation to a low-cost carrier, the strategy team will also encompass the office of the CEO, enterprise strategy and fleet.

    Hagen has been with WestJet for more than eight years and has held a variety of roles in that time including corporate development and planning, and head of investor relations. During this time, he played key roles in important company milestones including the airline’s purchase by Onex and the current Sunwing acquisition, awaiting regulatory approvals.

  • CAE expands Toronto training center with new Boeing full-flight simulators

    Montreal, Canada, May 3, 2022

    CAE announced today at the 2022 World Aviation Training Summit (WATS), the expansion of the CAE Toronto Training Center for the deployments of a CAE 7000XR Boeing 787 and a CAE 7000XR Boeing 737 MAX full-flight simulators (FFS) to support its Canadian customers.

    CAE is expanding its training center as Canadian airlines are expressing optimism that air travel will normalize in 2022, and as airlines around the world are preparing for business and international travel to return to pre-COVID levels in the following years.

    “We are excited to expand our training footprint in Toronto with the immediate addition of new Boeing 787 and 737 MAX simulators to be deployed in the second half of 2022,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation. “These latest additions complement our offerings and support the efforts of our Canadian-based airlines as they ramp up service and look for future growth.”

    At the facility, pilots for the airlines will train on the industry’s most advanced full-flight simulators and benefit from digitally immersive solutions that elevate safety, efficiency, and readiness for Canadian travelers from coast to coast.

    The CAE 7000XR Series FFS is the latest evolution of CAE’s industry benchmark FFS. Designed in collaboration with CAE’s customers, the CAE 7000XR Series sets a new standard in Level D FFS. Leveraging the latest advancements in technology and training capabilities, the CAE 7000XR Series is designed to optimize life-cycle costs for our customers and to address new and future training requirements. Enhanced features include the CAE Tropos 6000XR for extreme visual realism, a next-generation instructor office, upset prevention recovery training, and it is also built for lower ownership costs and increased reliability.

    About CAE

    CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of 75 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. As testament to our customers’ ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE’s revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with more than 13,000 employees, 180 sites, and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com

  • Air Canada, Airlink and Project C.U.R.E. Unite to Send Hospital Beds, Humanitarian and Medical Supplies to Support Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

    • GlobalMedic sends medical supplies, trauma dressings and wound care supplies destined for Lviv, Ukraine

    MONTREAL, March 9, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ – An Air Canada-operated humanitarian special cargo flight on behalf of Airlink and other aid organizations departed Toronto Pearson International Airport with a final destination of Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday, March 9. Through a partnership between Air Canada, disaster logistics non-profit Airlink, relief organization Project C.U.R.E., and freight forwarder Flexport, medical supplies and hospital beds, humanitarian and medical supplies were loaded onboard the Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Medical and trauma supplies destined for a Ukrainian hospital provided by Canadian disaster relief and life-saving humanitarian aid organization GlobalMedic were also boarded.

    Through a partnership between Air Canada, disaster logistics non-profit Airlink, relief organization Project C.U.R.E., freight forwarder Flexport, and Canadian disaster relief and life-saving humanitarian aid organization GlobalMedic, medical supplies and hospital beds, humanitarian and medical supplies were loaded onboard the Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

    After the flight arrives in Poland, Project C.U.R.E. will manage the distribution of supplies to hospitals treating Ukrainian civilians injured during the war, expanding the capacity of hospitals in border regions to provide care. More than two million people throughout Ukraine have now fled their homes after the invasion seeking safety in neighbouring countries. Primary care has been identified by aid agencies as one of the most pressing needs.

    “Our hearts are with the Ukrainian people in need – all of us have seen the crisis they are facing. We know from our aid partners the critical requirement for much needed medical and humanitarian supplies and our global partner Airlink reached out to us to help transport these vital items quickly. Importantly, both Airlink and GlobalMedic have the infrastructure and teams on the ground to ensure that the shipments will get to their destinations right after our flight arrives. We are proud of our employees who have stepped up to help organize the complex logistics, handle and operate this special flight so quickly,” said Jason Berry, Vice President, Cargo at Air Canada.

    “This shipment will make a material impact on the lives of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and support the communities hosting them,” said Steve Smith, Airlink President and CEO. “Getting the shipment to Poland on behalf of our NGO partner Project C.U.R.E. meant overcoming a challenging logistical environment, but I’m thrilled we could do it with assistance from our long-time friends and supporters Air Canada. This is the first of many cargo movements Airlink will carry out in support of Ukrainian refugees.”

    “Project C.U.R.E. has an extensive history of working with our partners in Ukraine, and we remain committed to serving the people of Ukraine until the ravages of this war have been erased,” said Dr. Douglas Jackson, President and CEO of Project C.U.R.E. “This first shipment of emergency medical supplies and equipment is just one of many to come. People all over the world are responding to this need, and they are cheering on our work from all corners of the globe. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at Airlink and Air Canada for making this a reality – together we are saving lives and delivering health and hope to the people of Ukraine.”

    “We are grateful to our friends at Airlink and Air Canada for giving us air cargo space to ship essential medicines and trauma supplies. The aid will land in Warsaw where our partners will grab them and truck them to a hospital in Lviv. Essential medicines are needed by patients fleeing the fighting who could not bring their prescription medicines with them and are facing shortages in local pharmacies. Trauma supplies especially dressings are needed to treat victims of this war,” said Rahul Singh, Executive Director at GlobalMedic.

    Earlier this week, medical supplies were picked up from the Project C.U.R.E. warehouse in Illinois, transported to Chicago O’Hare airport and tendered to Air Canada by Flexport. Air Canada Cargo subsequently transported the supplies to its Cargo facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

    Non-profit disaster logistics expert Airlink exists to help remove the cost of air transportation as a barrier to NGOs responding to disasters and other humanitarian crises. It was able to use its long-term partnership with Air Canada, and support from donors, to secure the cargo-only flight making the delivery of this shipment possible. Airlink also has transported 42 relief workers for 11 non-profit organizations providing medical care, food, mental health counseling, clean water, and other essentials to Ukrainian refugees.

    Air Canada has worked together with Airlink and GlobalMedic to transport responders and aid on a number of missions, most recently in response to British Columbia’s devastating wildfires and floods.

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler’s Best Airline in North America for the third straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX’s Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050

    About Airlink
    Airlink is a global humanitarian organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing airlift and logistical solutions to nonprofit partners, changing the way the humanitarian community responds to disasters around the world. Airlink exists to help remove the cost of air transportation as a barrier to NGOs responding to disasters and other humanitarian crises. Its network includes more than 130 aid organizations and 50 commercial .and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has flown more than 8,000 relief workers and transported nearly 5,000,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo. In 2021 the humanitarian aid Airlink delivered assisted 7.8 million people. For more information, please visit www.airlinkflight.org.

    About Project Cure
    Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to address the staggering shortage of medical resources around the world. Since our humble beginnings in a garage in Colorado, Project C.U.R.E. has become the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies, equipment, and services to doctors and nurses serving the sick and dying in more than 135 countries. Each week Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately three to five semitruck-sized ocean containers packed with the medical equipment and supplies desperately needed to save lives in hospitals and clinics in resource-limited countries. Project C.U.R.E. is supported by over 30,000 volunteers annually and operates distribution warehouses in seven U.S. cities. For more information, visit: www.projectcure.org.

  • New Year Prospects: Air Canada’s Fleet In 2022

    From Simple Flying – link to source story

    by Chris Loh | January 1, 2022

    Continuing its slow recovery from the worst of the global health crisis, major Canadian airline Air Canada the growth of its fleet in 2021. Notably, this consisted of the addition of a number of Airbus A220-300s as well as several Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Let’s take a glance at where Air Canada’s fleet stands at the start of 2022.

    B737_Max_8_Water-1538
    It appears that Air Canada took delivery of seven Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft during the 2nd half of 2021. Photo: Air Canada

    Air Canada’s fleet composition at a glance

    According to data from Planespotters.net, Air Canada has the following aircraft in its fleet. The quantities are noted alongside the type, with the change from last year’s report (published June 2021) in parentheses.

    Aircraft from Airbus*:
    • A220-300: 27 (+5)
    • A320-200: 17 (-1)
    • A321-200: 15 (no change)
    • A330-300: 16 (no change)

    *We should note that the airline ordered the A220 when it was still known as the Bombardier CSeries.

    Aircraft from Boeing:
    • 737 MAX 8: 31 (+7)
    • 767-300BCF*: 3 (+3)
    • 777-200LR: 6 (no change)
    • 777-300ER: 18 (-1)
    • 787-8: 8 (no change)
    • 787-9: 29 (no change)

    *One Air Canada 767-300 has completed its conversion from passenger to freighter. The remaining two are in the process of being converted.

    B777-300ER-4
    It appears that one Boeing 777-300ER left the fleet. Photo: Air Canada

    Growing the short and medium-haul fleet

    As you can see from the changes since our last Air Canada fleet report, the carrier has gained five Airbus A220-300s and seven Boeing 737 MAX 8s.

    As noted previously, there was a little bit of a back-and-forth when the carrier announced it would be canceling some of its orders in November of 2020, which would have seen orders for 12 A220s and 10 737 MAX 8s axed. However, one condition of the Canadian government’s rescue package was that it would proceed with its planned orders for both aircraft types. As a result, the airline has nine 737 MAX 8s and 18 A220-300s still on the way.

    A220-300-2
    The airline continues to grow its A220 and 737 numbers. Photo: Air Canada

    Going big on cargo operations

    One surprising standout number from our list was the “addition” of three Boeing 767-300s from last year. This change is, again, a bit of a back and forth. During the worst of the crisis, Air Canada had decided to retire its 767s.

    However, cargo demand has been soaring amid increased eCommerce activity, decreased transportation capacity, and global supply chain snarls. These factors led the airline to convert its passenger 767s into full freighters, complete with a large door to handle containers on the main deck. Work was, and continues to be, done at IAI facilities in Tel Aviv.

    It’s not just 767s and the bellies of passenger aircraft being used for cargo operations. At the time of this article’s publication, the carrier has four of its 16 A330-300s and seven of its 18 Boeing 777-300ERs operating as “preighters” (passenger freighters). These are passenger aircraft which have had their seats removed in order to accommodate freight. Making use of the fleet’s younger jets for reasons unknown, the airline was able to provide additional cargo capacity to Canada’s west coast, which had its main road and rail supply lines cut off from the rest of the country in November, due to extreme and extensive flooding.