Air Canada to increases capacity in Western Canada and deploys new Q400 aircraft
Air Canada announced (18-Oct-2012) it is boosting capacity on regional routes across Western Canada over Northern autumn and winter to meet demand. The airline will also be gradually introducing new 74-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft operated by Air Canada Jazz under the Air Canada Express brand on key markets from Calgary and Edmonton beginning in Feb-2013, replacing 50-seat CRJ aircraft. Air Canada VP network planning Marcel Forget said the changes increased capacity reflecting strong demand within Western Canada and are "designed to meet the needs of Western Canadian business travelers, who overwhelmingly prefer Air Canada for travel within Canada". According to the recent 2012 Canadian Business Travel Survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, Air Canada was the preferred airline for more than 80% of frequent business travellers in Western Canada, the highest level seen over the past eight years.
Capacity increase:
- Calgary-Fort McMurray: Increase from six to seven times daily;
- Calgary-Grande Prairie: Increase from four to five times daily;
- Calgary-Yellowknife: Increase from once to twice daily;
- Edmonton-Fort McMurray: Increase from six to seven times daily;
- Edmonton-Regina: Increase from once to twice daily;
- Edmonton-Saskatoon: Increase from once to twice daily;
- Vancouver-Fort St. John: Increase from four to five times daily;
- Vancouver-Nanaimo: Increase from six to seven times daily.
Q400 deployment schedule:
Feb-2013:
Mar-2013:
Apr-2013:
May-2013: