Air Canada on the Pacific route
Reports today confirm that Air Canada plans to launch a daily service on the Sydney to Los Angeles and Toronto route with its new fleet of long-range Boeing 777s.
“We believe it’s time to get in there and compete,” said the airline’s Australian general manager, Jeannie Foster. Air Canada said a recent open skies treaty signed between the US and Canada would allow it to fly the previously barred route.
The announcement comes two days after the federal Tourism Minister, Fran Bailey, met Air Canada officials and opened a Tourism Australia office in Toronto.
Just how this affects Singapore Airlines push for the same route remains unclear.
“We have never argued that we should be the only additional airline to fly the trans-Pacific,” said Kate Pratley, a Singapore Airlines spokeswoman.
“In this case, Air Canada has obviously made a business decision and it confirms there is a complete lack of competition on the trans-Pacific route,” she said.
Air Canada will also introduce business class beds later this year in a bid to attract more high yield passengers.
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