Air Canada has announced the introduction of daily year-round flights from Montreal to Shanghai, China, beginning 16 February 2017. This marks Air Canada’s first direct service to China from Montreal as well as the introduction of B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on the service.
“Building on Air Canada’s success in the rapidly growing Chinese market we are delighted to announce Air Canada’s first direct flights between Montreal and China with the launch of Montreal-Shanghai service next year,” said Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada’s President and CEO.
“This also marks the introduction of Air Canada’s first 787 Dreamliner aircraft service from Montreal, further underlining our commitment to expand our global reach and reinforce Montreal-Trudeau as a strategic hub. With today’s announcement, Air Canada has increased its international capacity from Montreal by 133 per cent since 2009, with direct service to 13 cities in Europe, North Africa and China.
“China is Canada’s second largest trading partner and Air Canada has made a significant investment of more than CDN$1 billion (US$759 million) in aircraft and equipment allocated specifically to serve the Chinese market from our Canadian hubs.
“We will be the first and only Canadian carrier to operate daily non-stop transpacific service between Montreal and the Asia-Pacific region and with an elapsed time of 14.5 hours, it will be the longest flight ever operated by any carrier from Montréal-Trudeau airport. Together with our Star Alliance partners, Air China and Shenzhen Airlines, and partner Juneyao Airlines, a Shanghai based airline operating to more than 30 destinations in China, we will offer the growing number of travellers between Montreal and China even more convenient travel options to Chinese destinations,” concluded Rovinescu.
“This new Montreal-Shanghai non-stop Air Canada service will help deepen our already strong people-to-people ties with China. It will also help boost tourism, trade and the economy and offer more choice for Canadian consumers. Today’s announcement comes at an important time in Canada-China relations as demonstrated by the two back-to-back Leaders’ visits over the past three weeks,” stated Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent.
“This new direct link between Montréal and Shanghai will not only make life easier for travelers, it will also encourage trade. Easier access to this new market will help foster economic development in our communities. Today’s announcement is a testament to the relationship our governments have forged in recent years,” said Quebec Minister of Economy, Science, Innovation and Minister responsible for Digital Strategy, Dominique Anglade.
In Shanghai, Star Alliance partners Air China and Shenzhen Airlines, along with partner Juneyao Airlines with whom Air Canada will launch an interline agreement in the coming weeks, offer excellent connectivity to domestic China destinations such as Chengdu, Chongqing and Shenzhen.
