MONTREAL | Air China becomes cheap tour operator from Montreal. Three times a week, flights will depart from Beijing on the same day to Havana, Cuba, for as little as $ 150 to $ 300 depending on the site chosen.
This unbeatable promotional begin on 27 December and will offer departures on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays during the winter.
“Air China saw the potential market, since there is no direct flight between Beijing and Havana, far too long. The planes landing in Montreal can therefore leave 2 hours 40 later, with travelers to Cuba and return the next day to catch a flight from Montreal to Beijing, “said the spokesman of Air China, Li Yufu Florian.
In a press release, Air China said that ties between China and Cuba are tightly tightened in recent years and that this destination will enhance economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries, in addition to stimulating the Asian tourism to Cuba .
Air China also wants to offer residents of the Caribbean to borrow the Havana connecting flight, then travel to Beijing from Montreal.
First Chinese
Air China believes that flights to Havana will be used by many Asians who choose to go through Montreal before a sun destination. It calculates that 50% of places are already occupied by Chinese and Cubans who want to visit their families.
The destination to Havana will be by the same device that performs the Beijing- linking Montreal, a Boeing 777-300 with a capacity of 311 seats. Passengers will be entitled to free drinks and meals during the flight, as well as two pieces of luggage of 23 kg at no extra charge, in addition to the carry-on bag.
Air China has signed agreements with some travel agencies specializing in flights to Asia, but will also sell tickets directly from its website.
Comparative price
Return flights for a week (without accommodation package)
– Sunwing, starting December 28, 2015: 825$ (arrival in Varadero)
– WestJet, starting in January:495$ to 816$
– Air Transat departing in January: 578$ to 750$ (arrival in Varadero)
– Cubana Airlines, starting in January: 738$
Le Journal de Montréal (via Google Translate)
PRC3 to merge?
China is considering combining some operations of the nation’s three biggest airlines as part of a broad reform of its state-owned enterprises, people familiar with the plans said.
A plan to merge the cargo operations of Air China Ltd., China Southern Airlines Co. and China Eastern Airlines Corp. has been circulated among regulators for their opinions, said the people, who asked not to be named as the discussions are private. Other options include combining the passenger business of some or all of the three state-owned airlines, or completely combining at least two of the Big Three, the people said. All options are still under discussion and no decision has been made, the people said.
Mergers in the airline industry would follow similar moves in other sectors. Earlier this year China combined its two biggest railway manufacturers to set up an entity that can compete with General Electric Co. and Alstom SA for international orders. Consolidations also are being prepared in the shipping and aerospace sectors, people familiar with the matter have said.
Shares of China Eastern and China Southern extended the day’s gains after the Bloomberg story. China Southern rose 11 percent to close at HK$6.73 in Hong Kong, while China Eastern gained 5 percent to HK$5.04. Air China shares closed up 7.8 percent at HK$7.34.
Thousand Planes
China Southern is already Asia’s biggest airline by passengers and fleet size. Beijing-based Air China is the country’s flagship carrier, while China Eastern dominates the financial hub of Shanghai.
Combining the three would create Asia’s only airline with more than 1,000 planes, lagging behind only the three big U.S. carriers. The three Chinese airlines have expanded along with the world’s fastest growing aviation market, and a combination would give them a virtual monopoly in what is set to become the world’s biggest air travel market within the next two decades.
Calls and emails seeking comment from the three airlines, and calls to the civil aviation administration, were not immediately returned.
The official Xinhua News Agency reported in June that China was looking to merge the Big Three’s cargo operations. The civil aviation administration said at the time that it hadn’t released any news on the matter.
WCARN.com
Air China adds Havana tag-on to Montreal flight
Air China in late-December 2015 will begin its first service to the Caribbean as it opens reservation for planned Cuba service. From 27DEC15, existing 3 weekly Beijing – Montreal service will be extended to Havana, on board Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Reservation for this route opened on late-Thursday 15OCT15, including Montreal – Havana sector. Currently this route is only bookable in the GDS, through Air China’s inventory (direct access). With this newly-extended service, Montreal departure to Beijing will see operational day changes.
CA879 PEK1400 – 1340YUL1620 – 2015HAV 77W 257
CA880 HAV0900 – 1230YUL1430 – 1730+1PEK 77W 136