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04-Sep-2013 9:38 AM

Alberta Travellers Win as Edmonton Gains New Gateway to Europe: Icelandair to Reykjavik and Beyond

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03-Sep-2013 Starting in March 2014, Icelandair will begin regular scheduled service between Edmonton and Reykjavik, providing Albertans with faster and easier access to more than 20 destinations across Europe.

"This new route links the Capital Region into Icelandair's superb network of over 20 European destinations, with significantly shorter travel times to places like Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Stockholm and more. Travellers will save as much as six and a half hours of travel time on a return trip," says Reg Milley, EIA President and CEO.

"We see a bright future ahead with a stronger network and even more opportunities for the many business and leisure travellers flying to Europe from Canada. Icelandair continues to search out markets that will benefit from our presence for both inbound and outbound travellers and further strengthen our role in opening the skies to Europe. The vibrant and academic community of Edmonton is underserved by international airlines and Icelandair will now offer a refreshing alternative to Europe from Canada," says Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Icelandair.

"Iceland is a great new addition to EIA's non-stop network. Icelandic immigrants have contributed greatly to Alberta's rich cultural fabric. We look forward to welcoming more Icelanders to Alberta so they can explore our natural beauty, enjoy our arts and culture, and re-connect with family and friends who now call Alberta home," says Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Dr. Richard Starke.

"Icelandair is one of the world's most innovative and respected airlines, with an outstanding network across Europe. With our strong economic performance, and our impressive new air terminal, we're proud that Edmonton has what it takes to attract a world-class international air carrier of Icelandair's calibre," says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.

"A non-stop connection with Reykjavik further opens up Edmonton to continental Europe and will allow for new tourism and business opportunities to be pursued. Icelandair's investment underlines its confidence in the Edmonton region as an economic hub for North America," says EEDC President and CEO Brad Ferguson.

This new service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on an Icelandair Boeing 757 seating 183 passengers in a three-class layout. The 6-hour, 20-minute eastbound flight will depart from EIA at 6:30 p.m. and arrive in Reykjavik at 6:50 a.m. the next morning. The westbound flight will leave Reykjavik at 4:45 p.m. and arrive at EIA at 5:30 p.m. the same day, with flying time of 6 hours, 45 minutes.

Passengers will enjoy the following minimum time savings on return trips to major European cities, as compared with current available schedules offered by existing routings:

These are minimum time savings. Total time saved increases even more with schedule variations.

Icelandair's interline agreement with WestJet means passengers connecting to Icelandair flights at EIA can book a single combined e-ticket for both airlines, and enjoy the convenience of single check-in for all flights, with baggage sent through to the final destination.