Canada’s largest airline Air Canada has acknowledged there is an aggressive landscape in the country’s domestic market but remains convinced that its network diversification is a strong competitive weapon it can use to fend off new entrants.
Focusing on next generation aircraft including Boeing 737-8s, 787s, Airbus A220s and the A321-XLR is at the top of the list for Air Canada, its CFO said.
“Air Canada’s new service from Toronto Island to Ottawa will conveniently link Canada’s capital directly with the center of the country’s leading business center,” Air Canada SVP Mark Galardo said.
Canada’s airlines have faced tight international travel restrictions and a fair number of interprovincial travel constraints since the onset of the pandemic.
In addition to a widespread resumption of domestic routes planned for this summer, the Canadian flag-carrier will also start three completely new domestic routes from Montreal.
The new services, which include the first scheduled connection between Montreal and Honolulu, will complement the airline’s long-standing routes from Calgary and Vancouver to the Hawaiian Islands.
Although Air Canada’s major priority remains lobbying to reopen Canadian borders and restore passenger demand, the airline is taking its time to evaluate longer-term fleet composition, which could include adding the Airbus A321LR.
Air Canada’s long-awaited federal financing package has several complexities the airline needs to address as the recovery in Canada’s air travel market remains more uncertain than ever.
Now that its merger with Air Canada has been terminated, Transat is examining various options to secure C$500 million ($398 million) in working capital necessary to support its operations in 2021.
Brookfield Asset Management will dive into the aerospace sector after hiring recently retired Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu as an advisor.
Air Canada is suspending service on 17 more routes until April 30 at the earliest as it grapples with new travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Responding to a newly imposed additional layer of Canadian COVID-19 restrictions, Air Canada said it will reduce 25% of its planned capacity for the balance of the 2021 first quarter.
Star Alliance member Air Canada and oneworld member Qatar Airways announced the start of a strategic cooperation agreement to expand their relationship.
