Mr. Benjamin Smith reports

AIR CANADA TO LAUNCH SEASONAL FLIGHTS FROM VANCOUVER TO OSAKA, JAPAN; EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FROM VANCOUVER HUB

Air Canada will introduce non-stop flights between Vancouver and Osaka, Japan, next summer. Service to Osaka's Kansai International Airport will be operated up to five flights per week by Air Canada rouge with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, offering a choice of economy and premium cabins of service. Flights are planned to begin May 1, 2015, in time for peak summer travel, and seats will be available for purchase on Air Canada's website once Japanese government approval is obtained.

"We are very pleased to add Osaka to our international route network with the introduction of the only non-stop flights from Canada to Kansai International Airport starting May 1," said Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines. "We expect this new seasonal service to be particularly popular with vacation travellers from Osaka seeking the renowned scenic beauty, outdoor activities and culture of Vancouver and B.C., as well as with North American customers travelling to Japan's second-largest metropolitan centre. The flights to Kansai International Airport have been timed to connect conveniently at Air Canada's Vancouver hub to and from our extensive North American network.

"The expansion of Air Canada rouge to compete in the fast-growing Asian leisure market in tandem with Air Canada's mainline fleet renewal is a key element of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth at both airlines. By next summer, Air Canada rouge, Air Canada and Star Alliance partner airline ANA will offer up to six daily non-stop flights between Canada and Japan," concluded Mr. Smith.

"We are very pleased to hear Air Canada rouge is going to connect Vancouver directly to Osaka and the Kansai region of Japan. Our province's tourism industry is ready to welcome tourists and show them all Super Natural British Columbia has to offer. Though the first flight is a few months away, people can start planning their trips at [the Japanese-language Hello B.C. website], our Japanese-language tourism website," said Shirley Bond, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

"This new Air Canada rouge service between Vancouver and Osaka, Japan, further strengthens our already excellent air connections to Asia and reinforces YVR as the Asian gateway to North America," said B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. "Attracting new air passenger and cargo routes is a key pillar of our Pacific Gateway transportation strategy and the B.C. jobs plan. With Air Canada rouge now touching down in Osaka, business travellers and tourists will have better access to more destinations in B.C., Canada, Japan and Asia."

Air Canada rouge flights from Vancouver to Kansai International Airport are planned to begin May 1, 2015, subject to government approval, and will operate up to five times weekly until Oct. 24, 2015.

Flight            Departs                 Arrives                        Day of week (peak period)

AC 1927   Vancouver 12:05   Osaka 14:55 (next day)     Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday  
AC 1928       Osaka 16:25         Vancouver 09:55   Monday, Tueday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday  

Air Canada continues to evaluate future market opportunities as new aircraft are introduced into its mainline fleet and existing aircraft are released for operation by Air Canada rouge. Since the launch in July, 2013, of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada has deployed its leisure carrier to a growing number of international, Caribbean and select sun destinations in the United States.

Air Canada rouge operates a fleet consisting of Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A319 aircraft transferred from Air Canada. As at the end of June, 2014, Air Canada rouge's fleet included eight Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 19 Airbus A319 aircraft.

Air Canada's mainline fleet renewal is continuing with the introduction of new aircraft. In May, the airline took delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner, and is scheduled to receive a total of six 787 aircraft in 2014, with the remaining 31 scheduled between 2015 and 2019. In February, 2014, Air Canada took delivery of the last of five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to enter its mainline fleet.

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