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Air Canada faces stiff competition
A Canadian airline launched by an entrepreneur and his brother is launching schedule flights between the UK and Canada, challenging the routes dominated by Air Canada.
Zoom Airlines plans to operate flights from Gatwick and Glasgow to six Canadian cities from May 2004. Fares will start at £127 including taxes to destinations like Toronto, which compares to Air Canada’s starting fare of £539 one way on the route. However, a spokeswoman for Air Canada added that the airline regularly offers deals for return fares.
The Zoom fare includes a hot meal and wine as well as inflight entertainment, but other alcoholic drinks cost £2. Passengers can pay a higher fare to sit in premium seats (£176 to Toronto) which have 36 inches of leg room as opposed to 31, and include free drinks, dedicated check-in, seat selection and extra luggage allowance.
The man behind the carrier is Scottish-born entrepreneur Hugh Boyle, who developed Direct Holidays with his brother John, before selling the company to Airtours five years ago.
Mr Boyle said: “Our prices will be the lowest scheduled fares but passengers will not have to sacrifice quality. Our seats will offer more legroom than most aircraft catering to the transatlantic markets. These flights will be high standard at low cost.”
Zoom flights from Gatwick will operate to Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Flights from Glasgow will operate to Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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