Air Canada to Boost Calgary-Narita Flights; Delay Vancouver-Haneda Launch

Air Canada is boosting its Calgary-Tokyo non-stop flights in response to strong demand after introducing the new route last summer.

The airline will increase its existing schedule to five weekly flights from three effective 26 March 2011, as it takes steps towards continuing the non-stop service on a year-round basis, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals in Japan.

"Demand for Air Canada's non-stop Calgary-Tokyo Narita service has been strong from business and leisure travelers, as well as freight forwarders. We are very pleased after just one season operating the only scheduled direct service between Alberta and Asia to be able to increase flights on this route," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "Service to Narita offers a multitude of connecting flights with our Star Alliance partners to key destinations throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei and several points across Japan. This is a good example of how we can work well with the business and tourism communities to achieve success in some markets. With the support of the Calgary business community, the Calgary Airport Authority, Travel Alberta and our travel partners, we look forward to being able to maintain a year-round schedule, pending approvals in Japan."

As a result of lower than expected demand for the planned Vancouver-Tokyo Haneda non-stop flights offering point-to-point service between the two cities, the launch of that route will now be delayed until more convenient arrival and departure times can be obtained that would enable customers to connect to flights at Haneda for onward travel to points within Japan and throughout Asia.

Calgary-Narita non-stop service complements Air Canada's daily year-round Vancouver-Tokyo Narita and Toronto-Tokyo Narita non-stop flights, both operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This summer, the carrier will offer 19 flights each week from Canada to Tokyo's Narita International Airport.

Air Canada's increased scheduled of Calgary-Tokyo flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing Calgary at 12:45 p.m. arriving in Narita the following day at 2:25 p.m. Flights will depart Narita on Monday's, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m., arriving Calgary same day at 10:40 a.m..

Air Canada operates its Calgary-Tokyo flights with fully refurbished 211-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lie-flat bed suites.

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