Air Canada to Launch New Domestic Routes for Summer 2018

Non-stop Air Canada Rouge seasonal services start in June from Montreal-Victoria, Toronto-Nanaimo and Toronto-Kamloops

MONTREAL, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced new non-stop, seasonal services will begin next June from Toronto to Nanaimo and to Kamloops, and Montreal to Victoria, British Columbia.  All new flights are now available for purchase at www.aircanada.com and through Travel Agents.

"We are strategically expanding our domestic network with our flexible fleet, products and services to capitalize on the growing seasonal demand to and from Vancouver Island and the Thompson Okanagan areas during the peak summer travel period," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "We are pleased to offer vacation travellers to and from Victoria, Nanaimo and Kamloops the convenience of non-stop Toronto and Montreal flights, where customers also have unparalleled access to our far-reaching North American and global network."

The Hon. Lisa Beare, BC Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture stated, "Air Canada's additional flights to Victoria, Nanaimo and Kamloops reflect the rising popularity of Vancouver Island and the Thompson-Okanagan as tourism destinations. I'm excited by Air Canada's extension of service to our province. This investment will make it easier for Canadians to visit these beautiful regions of BC, and further enhance connections between British Columbia and Central Canada."

Today's new routes complement Air Canada's North American transborder expansion announcement of six new routes earlier this week, and its previously announced new non-stop international services beginning 2018: Vancouver-Paris; Vancouver-Zurich; Vancouver-Melbourne, originally planned as winter seasonal now operating year-round starting June; Toronto-Shannon, Toronto-Zagreb; Toronto-Porto; Toronto-Bucharest; Toronto-Buenos Aires; Montreal-Tokyo-Narita; Montreal-Dublin; Montreal-Bucharest; and Montreal-Lisbon.

All flights are timed to connect conveniently with Air Canada's global schedule, and provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access at mainline airports, priority boarding and other benefits.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 60 in the United States and 98 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,300 airports in 191 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which also named Air Canada the 2017 Best Airline in North America.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com/media, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

SOURCE Air Canada