AC/CA sign partnership

AIR Canada and Air China have formed the first joint venture agreement between a Chinese and North American airline.

The tie-up expands upon an existing codeshare arrangement that will involve flights between Canada and China as well as select connecting domestic flights in both countries.

The new strengthened deal will be phased in gradually over the next six months and offer customers “flexible flight choices, favourable fare products and seamless travel experiences”.

“Air China and Air Canada as Star Alliance members have the foundation of a profound cooperation and under a joint venture framework will offer a wider range of products and quality services,” said Air China chairman Jianjiang Cai.

“The Sino-Canada market is one of the important long-haul markets to Air China, which has been developed rapidly in recent years with an increase of 17.8% in 2017,” he added.

News of the expanded cooperation coincides with the Canada-China Year of Tourism 2018, an initiative intended to promote the importance of trade between the two countries.

Over the last two years, Air China has launched flights directly linking Beijing with Montreal ( TD 09 Jun 2015), while Air Canada launched new nonstop flights between Montreal and Shanghai ( TD 17 Feb 2017) to meet growing demand.