Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has given a clear hint that direct flights from Montreal to Beijing are on the horizon.
"I have good reason to believe that this project will soon see the light of day," he said, adding that it could happen within the next 12 months.
The Premier is on a China trade mission along with the Premiers of Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
Speaking about possible Montreal-Beijing flights, Couillard said gaining approval is a complex process but a ‘realistic’ possibility.
"If it were in the bag, you would know," he said.
A meeting is planned for tomorrow with Chinese aviation authorities, Air Canada and head of the Montreal airport authority James Cherry.
Cherry said planned flights would be operated by Air China, which is a codeshare partner of Air Canada.
"The numbers are convincing," Cherry said referring to projections made for likely passenger demand on the route.
