Aimia to launch Aeroplan charter airline

MONTREAL — Aeroplan aims to get into the airline business by offering charter flights to its most popular destinations as the loyalty program prepares for the end of its exclusive partnership with Air Canada in 2020.

“We have routes where we have enough redemption demand today that we can fly a daily charter throughout the year on some particular routes,” Jeremy Rabe said in his first media interview since taking over in May as CEO of parent company Aimia Inc.

“Those will be dedicated Aeroplan aircraft that are flying just for Aeroplan.”

Aimia is in negotiations with potential airline partners to operate narrow-body aircraft ideally suited for flights to sun destinations in the Caribbean.

Details about the number of planes, their outside look and configuration will be announced in the next year or so, Rabe told the Canadian Press.

The big move shows the loyalty program is committed to providing the greatest value to members, he said.

“We can optimize the itineraries, we can make sure that those planes are flying to the places where people actually want seats — and, again, that’s a big difference than today.”

The Montreal-based company is preparing for July 2020, when its 30-year partnership with Air Canada expires as the airline launches its own loyalty program.