Air Canada primed for wave of new routes

As Air Canada continues to invest in a growth strategy that will see international capacity double within the next five years, the airline hosted an event with business and travel partners on April 23 to mark the launch of 10 new routes scheduled to begin in May and June.

Virgilio Russi, senior director - Canada sales, shared a list of additions, including connections between Toronto - Austin, Montreal - Venice, and Vancouver – Osaka, to name a few.

"We had impressive growth last year, and we'll have impressive growth this year," Russi said.

While there is plenty of anticipation for each new route, the star of the show was service between YYZ and Amsterdam, set to take-off six-times weekly as of June 4.

As a central hub for trade and economic development, the Amsterdam connection will service both business and leisure travellers alike, complementing the existing Montreal - Brussels flight.

Jayson Myers, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, spoke to the impact of Air Canada's strategic investment in the destination. 

"All I see is huge growth in business relationships between Canada and the Netherlands, Canada and Europe, and Europe and North America - this service is a cornerstone of that growth," he said. "You'll see more business travel than ever before, using the Netherlands as a base for Europe, using Toronto as a base for Canada, and using Canada as a base to do business right across North America."

In addition, the Dutch community in Canada is more than one million people strong, adding to the strong market potential.

A summary of new Air Canada routes:

• Calgary - Nanaimo: New daily, year-round Air Canada Express service starts May 1
• Calgary - Halifax: New summer seasonal six times weekly service starts May 1 operated by Air Canada rouge
• Vancouver - Comox: New twice daily, year-round Air Canada Express service starts May 1
• Vancouver - Osaka: New seasonal service starts May 1operated by Air Canada rouge
• Montreal - Venice: New seasonal service starts May 14
• Toronto - Austin: New daily, year-round Air Canada Express service starts May 18
• Toronto - Atlantic City: New seasonal service, 4 weekly service starts May 22
• Calgary - Terrace: New daily, year-round Air Canada Express service starts June 1
• Toronto - Amsterdam: New year-round service starts June 4
• Montreal - Mexico City: Starting June 5

PHOTO: Jayson Myers, president & CEO, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters; Emmy Scholten, deputy consul general, Netherlands Consulate Toronto; Virgilio Russi, senior director - Canada sales, Air Canada; & Robert Trudeau, senior director corporate & business development sales, Air Canada