Air Canada fortifies some western Canadian routes ahead of WestJet’s regional debut

Air Canada during late 2012 and early 2013 appears to be making some offensive moves in western Canada prior to the highly-anticipated launch of WestJet's new regional carrier Encore. Ahead of Encore's debut in 2H2013, Air Canada is bolstering frequencies in some markets and upgauging from 50-seat jets to 74-seat Bombardier Q400s prior to Encore's debut with the same aircraft type.

The moves by Air Canada in some of its western domestic markets could also be geared towards placing some capacity outside the highly competitive eastern region of the country. Air Canada has continued to face competitive pressure in that area, particularly the "Eastern Triangle" of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, from rivals WestJet and Porter Airlines.