YVR Celebrates First Non-Stop Service to Melbourne in Canada

Air Canada launches new direct flights to Melbourne, Orlando and Yellowknife

RICHMOND, BC, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) celebrated the inaugural flight of Air Canada's new route between YVR and Melbourne Airport (MEL), marking the first ever direct, non-stop flight from Canada to this Australian city. The new route offers a seasonal four-time weekly service until February 4, 2018 and then will begin year-round service in June 2018. In addition to the new Melbourne service, Air Canada will also be launching new routes to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Yellowknife Airport (YZF) in the month of December. All flights are strategically timed to connect with Air Canada's domestic and international schedule at YVR.

"We have a lot to celebrate at YVR this month. With the new Air Canada services to Melbourne, Orlando and Yellowknife in December, passengers have even more travel options this winter season," said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "We are also thrilled that Air Canada has announced year-round service to Melbourne, prior to the start of the seasonal service. This is an incredible achievement for our airline partner and showcases Air Canada's commitment to growing their transpacific hub at YVR."

With existing services to Sydney and Brisbane, this new Melbourne service is Air Canada's third route to Australia from YVR. The YVR-MEL route operates on an Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with seat capacity for 298 passengers. The new service creates 60 new jobs at the airport and contributes $4.7 million to B.C.'s GDP.

"We are delighted to welcome customers onboard our flights to Melbourne, our newest destination in Australia. Our seasonal service will be of particular interest to Australians travelling for a Canadian winter vacation and North Americans travelling to enjoy Australia's summer season. The launch of year-round service next June will provide additional options for business and leisure travellers between our two continents," said Benjamin Smith, President ? Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "Our Melbourne flights complement our daily flights from Canada to Sydney and to Brisbane, solidifying our market-leading position as the airline providing the most service between Canada and Australia. The seamless connections through in-transit pre-clearance facilities, combined with our extensive domestic Canada and U.S. network at our Vancouver hub, positions YVR to be the preferred transpacific gateway for business and leisure travellers travelling between North America and Australia."

Operated by Air Canada Rouge on a Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, the YVR-MCO route can accommodate 279 passengers and will create almost 40 new jobs as well as contribute $2.7 million in GDP. The YVR-YZF route will use a Bombardier CRJ 705-900 aircraft, with seat capacity for 75 passengers.

In addition to these three new services, Air Canada introduced service to Dallas in February, Denver in May and increased service to Los Angeles and San Jose to six and three times daily respectively. In the summer, Air Canada also launched the following international routes out of YVR: Taipei, Nagoya, Frankfurt and London Gatwick.

Air Canada's significant growth at YVR is made possible thanks to YVR's five-year rates and charges program, ConnectYVR. The program provides a highly competitive rate structure and includes airline rates lower than any other major airport in Canada and competing U.S. airports.

For further details on any of these new services and to book, please visit www.aircanada.com.

About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 22.3 million passengers in 2016. Fifty-five airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 125 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation's prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the eighth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2017. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2016 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority