Air China to Launch Beijing-Montreal Flights in Cooperation with Air Canada

          Air China and Air Canada said today they are preparing for the launch of non-stop flights between Beijing and Montreal that will create the first transpacific direct link between Asia and Montreal. The flights will be operated by Air China starting on September 29, 2015, initially three times a week, with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Air Canada placing its code on the flights for sale on a codeshare basis in a first phase.

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          In the second phase, subject to requisite approvals by the relevant competition authorities, Air Canada and Air China intend to form a comprehensive revenue sharing joint venture in respect of all flights between China and Canada, which would ensure the long-term sustainability of the new Beijing-Montreal service.

          With the launch of the non-stop Beijing-Montreal service, the Star Alliance carriers will offer convenient connections and seamless transfers for customers to other cities in China, Canada and the United States via their hubs in Beijing and Montreal.

          As previously announced, Air China and Air Canada signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in November 2014 in Beijing setting out the principles for an integrated revenue sharing joint venture. The MOU provides for an enhanced partnership on routes between China and Canada which is expected to stimulate traffic growth between the two countries and is subject to Air Canada and Air China making the necessary filings, obtaining competition and other regulatory approvals and finalizing documentation. The joint venture is expected to come into effect in the second half of 2015.

          With the new Beijing-Montreal route, Air China will place its CA code on Air Canada flights between Montreal and select cities in Canada, subject to government approval.

          Currently, Air China operates up to 11 flights per week between Beijing and Vancouver. Air Canada operates up to a total of 28 flights per week between Canada and China, from Toronto and Vancouver to and from Beijing and Shanghai.

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