Air Canada to increase non-stop flights between Montreal and Europe by 50 per cent

Air Canada today announced that in response to peak summer travel demand, the carrier will launch double daily non-stop flights from Montréal to both London and Frankfurt this year, and re-introduce its popular twice daily non-stop flights to Paris.

With the introduction of these new double daily services, Air Canada will increase by 50 per cent the number of flights operating this summer between Montréal and three of Europe's largest gateway cities. In addition, Air Canada said it will also offer non-stop flights from Montreal to Vienna and Munich this summer on a codeshare basis with its Star Alliance partners.

Air Canada will introduce second daily non-stop flights to London on June 1, 2004, to Paris on June 23 and to Frankfurt on July 1, in addition to its year round daily non-stop services. The second daily flights will operate during the peak summer period. All flights will be operated using Boeing 767 aircraft in a two cabin configuration. Air Canada offers a choice of Hospitality and Executive First premium service on all three routes.

"This is great news for consumers seeking convenient, direct access via Montréal to Europe from the many communities Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz serve across Quebec, Atlantic Canada and the north eastern United States," said Bill Bredt, Vice President, Network and Revenue Management. "With more then 50 non-stop flights per week from Montréal to five major European gateways this summer, Air Canada offers unbeatable choice and value direct to Europe and points beyond throughout the Star Alliance network."

Air Canada's codeshare flights from Montréal non-stop to Vienna will begin March 31 operated by Austrian Airlines four times weekly, and its non-stop flights to Munich will begin June 8 operated by Lufthansa six times weekly.

These codeshare flights offer Aeroplan members the usual Star Alliance benefits including accumulation of Aeroplan Miles that count toward top tier status. In total, Air Canada will offer customers up to 52 non-stop flights per week this summer from Montréal to five European gateway cities.