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  • Air Canada adds Tulum and Charleston to Global Network; Boosts Capacity on Key North American Markets in Summer 2024 as Airline Continues Strategic Network Growth

    • First Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum, Mexico’s newest international airport, and to Charleston, SC
    • New Montreal to Austin and St. Louis flights
    • Increased frequencies on key Canadian domestic routes and early resumption of popular seasonal routes

    MONTREAL, Dec. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – Air Canada today announced it is boosting its North American network capacity for summer 2024 with the addition of two new destinations, five new routes, increased flight frequencies on key routes, and earlier resumption of popular seasonal routes in response to projected demand. Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum*, with flights from Toronto and Montreal to the newest airport in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and to Charleston, SC from Toronto. Seats are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app, Air Canada’s contact centres and through travel agents. Flights to Tulum will be available for sale on December 15.

    Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum, Mexico’s newest international airport, and to Charleston, SC. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

    “We are excited to add two brand new destinations to our global network, Tulum, Mexico from our Toronto and Montreal hubs, and Charleston, South Carolina from Toronto, plus new Austin and St. Louis flights from Montreal in summer 2024. These new destinations and routes reflect Air Canada’s market leadership and network diversification strategy of adding capacity to in-demand leisure destinations such as Tulum and fast-growing, key metropolitan areas in the US,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, at Air Canada.

    “We are also very pleased to grow our North American network from coast to coast with additional frequencies in key markets including Ottawa, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina, in regional markets, and by resuming major seasonal routes earlier. By adding scale to our Canadian hubs, we are offering more travel choices and unparalleled access to and from our worldwide network. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard,” concluded Mr. Galardo.

    For summer 2024, Air Canada will be serving 120 destinations in Canada, the US and the Caribbean with up to 520 flights every day, translating to approximately 66,000 seats being dispatched, representing an increase of 5% percent North America and Caribbean seat capacity from 2023.

    New destination: Tulum*, Mexico

    “I celebrate this great announcement from Air Canada. Without connectivity there is no tourism, and the two new routes to the new Tulum International Airport, which is ready to receive five million passengers, will boost the arrival of tourists from our second most important source market for international tourists,” stated Lic. Miguel Torruco Marqués, Secretario de Turismo, Mexico.

    FlightFromToDepartsArrivesDays of
    Operation    		Operation
    AC1854Toronto (YYZ)Tulum (TQO)08:1511:20Fri, SunYear-round, begins May 3
    AC1855Tulum (TQO)Toronto (YYZ)12:3017:35Fri, SunYear-round, begins May 3
    AC1874Montreal (YUL)Tulum (TQO)08:1512:00SatYear-round, begins May 4
    AC1875Tulum (TQO)Montreal (YUL)13:1018:45SatYear-round, begins May 4
    *subject to government approval

    New destination: Charleston, SC

    “Charleston International Airport is delighted to welcome the addition of Toronto as an international destination, made possible by the introduction of Air Canada’s daily flights providing a seamless link between Canada’s largest metropolitan area and the Charleston Lowcountry. Not only does the new service connect two of the top cosmopolitan destinations worldwide, renowned for their extraordinary landmarks, rich culture, entertainment and leisure adventures, this route offers customers unmatched travel options and conveniences, whether travelling for leisure, visiting friends and family, or for business,” said Elliott Summey, Executive Director and CEO at Charleston International Airport.

    “Air Canada’s announcement is a major milestone for our industry, the Charleston region and beyond. International visitation is integral to a healthy and sustainable tourism economy. While Canada is consistently our top country of origin for international visitors, we know there is tremendous untapped potential in the market. Beyond increasing access for leisure travelers, the daily, nonstop service creates more opportunity to recruit group business and provides improved connectivity for Charleston area residents traveling to Canada and other international destinations served through Air Canada’s Toronto hub,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston and Chair of the Aviation Authority Board.  

    FlightFromToDepartsArrivesDays of
    Operation    		Operation
    AC8629Toronto (YYZ)Charleston (CHS)18:4020:58DailyYear-round, begins March 28
    AC8628Charleston (CHS)Toronto (YYZ)10:0012:21DailyYear-round, begins, March 29

    Other New Flights:

    • Air Canada is adding additional new flights to Austin and St. Louis from its Montreal hub, complementing its flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Austin, and from Toronto to St. Louis.
    FlightFromToDepartsArrivesDays of
    Operation    		Operation
    AC1051Montreal (YUL)Austin (AUS)17:1520:32Mon, Tue, Thur, SatYear-round, begins May 2
    AC1050Austin (AUS)Montreal (YUL)10:1515:13Sun, Tue, Wed, FriYear-round, begins May 3
    AC8687Montreal (YUL)St. Louis (STL)19:3021:05DailySummer, begins May 1
    AC8688St. Louis (STL)Montreal (YUL)12:0015:23DailySummer, begins May 2

    North America Summer 2024 service improvements:

    • Air Canada is boosting its North American network from coast to coast with more flights added on major routes, and by resuming seasonal routes earlier.  
    • To meet projected demand, additional flights have been added to key markets including in Ottawa, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina, as well as to growing regional markets.
    Montreal HubPeak summer 2024 service improvements
    compared to summer 2023 and seasonal
    resumptions
    Montreal (YUL) – Boston (BOS)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
    Montreal (YUL) – Las Vegas (LAS)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Montreal (YUL) – Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Montreal (YUL) – Phoenix (PHX)Increases to 5 weekly flights from 3
    Montreal (YUL) – Pittsburgh (PIT)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Montreal (YUL) – Raleigh/Durham (RDU)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Montreal (YUL) – San Diego (SAN)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Montreal (YUL) – Edmonton (YEG)Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
    Montreal (YUL) – Gander (YQX)Resumes June 14, daily flights
    Montreal (YUL) – Iles de La Madeleine (YGR)Resumes May 17, daily flights
    Montreal (YUL) – Victoria (YYJ)Increases to 5 weekly flights from 3
    Toronto HubPeak summer 2024 service improvements
    compared to summer 2023 and seasonal
    resumptions
    Toronto (YYZ) – Kansas City (MCI)Resumes June 1, daily flights
    Toronto (YYZ) – Nashville (BNA)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Toronto (YYZ) – Phoenix (PHX)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Toronto (YYZ) – Portland (PDX)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Toronto (YYZ) – Nassau (NAS)Increases to 6 weekly flights from 4
    Toronto (YYZ) – Sacramento (SMF)Resumes May 1, 5 weekly flights
    Toronto (YYZ) – Salt Lake City (SLC)Resumes May 1, 4 weekly flights
    Toronto (YYZ) – Gander (YQX)Resumes June 1, daily flights
    Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR)Increases to 14 daily flights from 13
    Toronto (YYZ) – Victoria (YYJ)Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
    Vancouver HubPeak summer 2024 service improvements
    compared to summer 2023 and seasonal
    resumptions
    Vancouver (YVR) – Anchorage (ANC)Resumes May 14, daily flights
    Vancouver (YVR) – Austin (AUS)Resumes May 1, increases 4 weekly flights from 2 weekly
    Vancouver (YVR) – Portland (PDX)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
    Vancouver (YVR) – Washington Dulles (IAD)Increases to daily from 5 weekly
    Vancouver (YVR) – San Diego (SAN)Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
    Vancouver (YVR) – Sacramento (SMF)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Vancouver (YVR) – Cranbrook (YXC)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Vancouver (YVR) – Fort St. John (YXJ)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
    Vancouver (YVR) – Halifax (YHZ)Resumes May 1, 2 daily flights
    Vancouver (YVR) – Prince George (YXS)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3
    Vancouver (YVR) – Terrace (YXT)Increases to 5 daily flights from 4
    Vancouver (YVR) – Toronto (YYZ)Increases to 14 daily flights from 13
    Vancouver (YVR) – Smithers (YYD)Increases to 2 daily flights from 1
    Routes from SaskatchewanPeak summer 2024 service improvements
    compared to summer 2023 and seasonal
    resumptions
    Regina (YQR) – Toronto (YYZ)Increases to 4 daily non-stop flights from 3 daily
    Regina (YQR) – Montreal (YUL)Resumes June 1, daily non-stop standalone flights from one-stop
    Saskatoon (YXE) – Toronto (YYZ)Increases to 4 daily non-stop flights from 3 daily
    Saskatoon (YXE) – Montreal (YUL)Resumes June 2, daily non-stop standalone flights from one-stop
    Saskatoon (YXE) – Vancouver (YVR)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3 daily
    Routes from other airportsPeak summer 2024 service improvements
    compared to summer 2023 and seasonal
    resumptions
    Ottawa (YOW) – Washington-National (DCA)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Ottawa (YOW) – Calgary (YYC)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Ottawa (YOW) – Winnipeg (YWG)Resumes May 1, daily flights
    Ottawa (YOW) – Vancouver (YVR)Operating 3 daily flights – including 1 flight with 787 Dreamliner
    Halifax (YHZ) – St. Johns (YYT)Increases to 5 daily flights from 4 daily
    Halifax (YHZ) – Vancouver (YVR)Resumes May 1, up to 2 daily flights
    Calgary (YYC) – Winnipeg (YWG)Operating 2 daily flights with larger aircraft
    Calgary (YYC) – Edmonton (YEG)Increases to 4 daily flights from 3 daily
    Edmonton (YEG) – Montreal (YUL)Increases to 3 daily flights from 2
    Victoria (YYJ) – Montreal (YUL)Increase to 5 weekly flights from 3
    Victoria (YYJ) – Toronto (YYZ)Increases to 3 daily flights from 2

    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 inaugurates service between Saskatoon and Minneapolis

    New route builds on airline’s commitment to invest in growing network of transborder connections from Saskatoon

    SASKATOON, SK, June 19, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today celebrated the commencement of its new nonstop transborder service between Saskatoon and Minneapolis, with the departure of WS1900 at 7:10 a.m. MST.

    Growing Saskatoon’s aviation pipeline, the new route unlocks direct connectivity from Saskatchewan to the Midwest United States and beyond. With the inclusion of Minneapolis to Saskatoon’s network, WestJet has increased transborder capacity in and out of the City of Bridges by 20 per cent during the summer.

    Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet Director, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs is joined by Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Saskatoon Airport Authority at the inaugural flight between Saskatoon and Minneapolis. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
    Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet Director, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs is joined by Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Saskatoon Airport Authority at the inaugural flight between Saskatoon and Minneapolis. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

    “We are thrilled to celebrate the departure of our inaugural flight between Saskatoon and Minneapolis today, bolstering our title as Saskatchewan’s leading airline and signifying our expanded commitment to the province,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet Director, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs. “This new connectivity between Saskatoon and Minneapolis will further enhance transborder travel options for the communities we serve and stimulate vital business and tourism opportunities on both sides of the border.”

    “The Saskatoon Airport is committed to provide air service that connects Northern Saskatchewan to the world,” says Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Saskatoon Airport Authority. “As we recover from the pandemic, we continue to work closely with our partners on new service and routes which drive economic benefit to our community, connecting leisure travel and business to Saskatchewan. We are thrilled to welcome WestJet’s new direct, 3x weekly air service route into the Minneapolis hub.”

    The departure of WS1900 is the first of three weekly flights that will travel between Saskatoon and Minneapolis this summer.

    RouteStart DateFrequencyDays of ServiceDepartureArrival
    Saskatoon – MinneapolisJune 19, 20233x weeklyMon/Wed/Fri7:10 a.m.10:31 a.m.
    Minneapolis – SaskatoonJune 19, 20233x weeklyMon/Wed/Fri12:45 p.m.2:02 p.m.

    New U.S. connectivity unlocks a network of opportunity with access to Delta Air Lines hub

    Through its longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting through Minneapolis will arrive in one of the U.S. airline’s major hubs. Guests will gain access to a vast network of U.S. destinations, including Boston, Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and more, on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure. Guests can also expect baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access where applicable. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits any time they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming in their preferred program.

    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 and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries.

  • BCCDC warns of COVID-19 exposure on flight from Mexico City to Vancouver

    News from CTV News – link to story

    Jen St. Denis, Reporter, CTVNewsVancouver.ca ~ July 11, 2020

    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is warning travellers on board an Aeromexico flight they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

    The flight from Mexico City to Vancouver took place on June 25, with the flight number 696.

    The BCCDC says it is no longer directly notifying plane passengers who were seated near someone who has tested positive for the virus. The agency says travel outside of Canada is not recommended right now, and people who do return from abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

    The BCCDC keeps an updated list of flights that have been found to have a COVID-19-positive passenger on board. For some domestic flights, the agency is listing the seats that were near the person.

    Other flights in June where passengers may have been exposed to COVID-19 include:

    • Air Canada flight 557 from Los Angeles to Vancouver on June 18
    • Delta flight 3898 from Seattle to Vancouver on June 3
    • WestJet flight 166 from Vancouver to Edmonton on June 3
    • WestJet flight 130 from Vancouver to Calgary on June 11
    • Air Canada flight 217, formerly 8737, from Saskatoon to Vancouver on June 16
    • Flair flight 8102 from Toronto to Vancouver on June 21

    To see a full list of all flights from May and June, visit the BCCDC’s website.

  • Air Canada Unveils New Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport

    • Showcases Saskatchewan and Canadian design and artworks by local artists
    • The airline’s 17th Maple Leaf Lounge in Canada and the 23rd across Air Canada’s international network

    SASKATOON, Sept. 14, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today unveiled its newest Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (Skyxe). The lounge seats up to 40 customers in an elegant space that showcases Canadian design and art, including work by two Saskatchewan artists, Shawn Evans and Holly Friesen.

    Enter a captionAir Canada Unveils New Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (CNW Group/Air Canada)

    “We are excited to welcome Air Canada and Star Alliance eligible customers to our new Maple Leaf Lounge at Skyxe, which has been created to enhance the overall travel experience for our premium customers,” said Andrew Yiu, Vice President, Product at Air Canada. “Showcasing contemporary Canadian design and artwork, and drawing on the pastoral landscape of Saskatchewan, the lounge is decorated with maple wood screen walls, Canadian-made furnishings and Canadian materials. Customers will be warmly received and enjoy a calm environment in which to work or relax before an Air Canada or Air Canada Express flight.”

    “Skyxe is thrilled to welcome a new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Saskatoon Airport,” said Stephen Maybury, President and CEO of Skyxe Saskatoon Airport. “This highly anticipated new lounge experience strongly complements our existing modern, comfortable and guest centric service offerings.”

    “The award winning Skyxe continues to modernize and welcome the world to our city. The trusted brand of the Maple Leaf Lounge is a fantastic addition to what we offer here in our growing prairie community. Thank you to Air Canada for your commitment to Saskatoon,” said Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark.

    “As one of Canada’s fastest growing metropolitan centers, the opening of an Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge in Saskatoon speaks to the continued interest to invest in our city and confirms Saskatoon as a top destination in Canada,” said Darla Lindbjerg, CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

    “With a sharp increase in arrivals into Saskatoon and strong projections for National and International travel, having a Maple Leaf Lounge at our award-winning John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is very exciting. Being able to offer visitors who are eligible customers an added amenity, will only add to their positive experience in Saskatoon,” said Todd Brandt, President and CEO of Tourism Saskatoon.

    The 137-square-metre lounge features such amenities as a full-service bar offering a wide selection of beverages, including Canadian wines and specialty coffees, a self-serve buffet area and comfortable seating with a view of the tarmac. Business travellers planning to work on site may also take advantage of the cyber counter equipped with PCs and colour printing, complimentary Wi-Fi and access to a large variety of digital newspaper and magazine content via the PressReader app.

    The Skyxe Maple Leaf Lounge will operate seven days a week, and is conveniently located in the departure gate area, steps away from Air Canada’s departure gates.

    Air Canada and its regional partners operate over 110 weekly (17 daily) non-stop scheduled flights this summer from Saskatoon to seven destinations across Canada. It offers up to 1,320 seats departing the city, with up to six daily non-stop flights to Toronto, four to Calgary, three to Vancouver, two to Winnipeg, one to Edmonton, one to Regina and one from Ottawa.

    As a leading global carrier, Air Canada offers eligible customers access to 23 Maple Leaf Lounges worldwide including 17 at Canadian airports, plus lounges at New York-LaGuardia, New York-Newark, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris. More information about Air Canada’s award-winning Maple Leaf Lounges, including eligibility, is here.