MONTREAL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dignitaries and top government officials led by the Chinese ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Luo Zhaohui and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre welcomed the arrival of Air China’s inaugural flight, CA 879, from Beijing today. Quebec’s Minister of Trade and Commerce and his delegation returned to Montreal from their trade mission on board the first Beijing-Montreal flight. Minister Jacques Daoust also spoke at the press conference.
Operated by Air China’s new-generation B777-300ER, the new thrice weekly nonstop service connects Montreal not only to Beijing but also to the rest of Asia.
Today’s elaborate welcome ceremonies at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) showed the importance of this new service. It is expected to boost the local economy and tourism industry in the region. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the total number of trips abroad from China is estimated to have increased by 11 million to 109 million in 2014. China is the largest outbound market since 2012 with a total expenditure of US$ 129 billion in 2013.
“This is a great day for Aéroports de Montréal, a proud moment that we will all remember for a long time to come,” said a beaming James Cherry, the airport authority’s President and CEO, soon after exiting the plane arriving from the Chinese capital. “The direct route between Montréal and Beijing, the very first scheduled transpacific direct link out of Montréal–Trudeau, is a reality at last. China has never been as close as it is today.”
Montreal is the newest in a string of expansions in North America by China’s national carrier. However, it’s only the airline’s second gateway in Canada and the first in more than 20 years after Air China launched its Vancouver service.
“Today we stand on the cusp of history as we become the first airline to connect Montreal, China and Asia directly. We are honored to be the bridge that brings together the people and culture of our two great destinations,” Mr. Wang Yingnian, Air China’s Chief Pilot, said.
“This new service strengthens Air China’s presence in the China-Canada market where there is a robust demand for air travel, especially in Montreal, Canada’s second largest city,” he added.
Featuring state-of-the-art green technology, the B777-300ER delivers better fuel performance and is much quieter than any other aircraft. With a spacious three-cabin interior, ambient lighting and an enhanced entertainment system, the triple seven offers a smooth, comfortable experience. Air China’s B777-300ER features eight luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion (first class), 41 fully-flat sleeper seats in the Capital Pavilion (business class) and 259 economy seats with individual TV monitors and in-seat audio-video on demand.
By the end of 2015, Air China will have nonstop services between Beijing and nine gateways in North America: New York (2x daily); Newark (4x/week; Los Angeles (3x daily); San Francisco (daily); Houston (daily); Washington Dulles (4x/week); Honolulu (3x/week); Vancouver (daily) and Montreal (3x/week).
Business Wire
Air Canada creates incentive to fly via Toronto
TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – Air Canada customers travelling between the U.S. and Europe or Asia via the airline’s Toronto Pearson global hub will have an opportunity to pause their journey in the city for up to one week with no stopover fee. This special offer, developed with the support of Tourism Toronto, is designed to encourage U.S. originating international customers to take advantage of their connection to experience Canada’s largest and most vibrant city.
“As Air Canada’s global hub, Toronto Pearson is quickly growing in popularity as the most efficient connecting point for U.S. originating travelers to Europe or Asia. But in addition to being extremely convenient for transiting international travelers, Toronto makes an ideal city getaway and for those who have the time, as there is a tremendous amount to see and do in one of the world’s most multicultural and vibrant cities. This is why we are pleased to offer our U.S. originating customers flying on international connections with an opportunity to stop over in Toronto for up to a week at no extra cost to their Air Canada ticket so that they can explore and enjoy its diverse attractions,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines, at Air Canada.
“International travelers are always looking for added value and exciting destinations and this offer provides both. It’s the perfect way to spend some time exploring Toronto – for the first time or the tenth time – without any additional airfare,” said Andrew Weir, Chief Marketing Officer of Tourism Toronto.
Air Canada’s extended stopover offer is available to U.S. originating international customers connecting through Toronto while travelling from more than 50 U.S. cities to Europe or Asia and can be applied to either the outbound or inbound portion of the trip. Customers can stay up to one week in Toronto for the same price as a usual roundtrip ticket – without any additional fees for an interrupted journey. The offer is valid for flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada rouge.
Canadian Aviation News
No F-35s for the R.C.A.F.?
OTTAWA, Canada— Canada’s Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said on the campaign trail Sunday that he would scrap the purchase of F-35s — the apparent frontrunner to replace the nation’s aging fleet of fighter jets.
“We will not buy the F-35 fighter jet,” he told a rally in Halifax ahead of Oct. 19 elections.
Taking Lockheed Martin’s F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters off the table would leave Ottawa with three options: the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale and Boeing’s Super Hornet.
Canada had widened its multibillion-dollar search for a new fighter jet in 2012 to models other than the F-35 despite having spent 15 years helping the United States and other allies develop it.
Ottawa took the step after the procurement — the largest in Canadian history — came under fire over its spiraling costs and an apparent lack of transparency and competition in the process.
Opening up the process to bidding, however, did not preclude Canada sticking with the F-35, which the government and the military still appear to favor.
F-35 proponents have said the stealth fighter jet is the only one capable of countering threats by advanced militaries.
The ruling Tories had put off making a purchase decision until after the election.
Defense News
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