Operations to start July 1, 2013
Special introductory air fares and vacation packages now on sale to the Caribbean and Europe
MONTREAL, Dec. 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today unveiled its new leisure airline, marking a milestone in the transformation of Canada’s flag carrier to compete in the growing leisure travel sector. Special introductory fares are available for sale beginning today at aircanada.com and through travel agents. Along with details of the initial destinations it will fly to beginning in July 2013, the name of Canada’s new leisure airline – Air Canada rouge – was announced following a contest launched on Facebook inviting customers, employees and travel industry professionals for their input. Details about the contest and prize winners have been posted on facebook.com/aircanada.
“With the introduction today of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada enters today’s growing leisure travel market on a truly competitive basis,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, at a news conference in Toronto to unveil the new leisure airline. “In partnership with Air Canada Vacations, part of our new leisure group, Air Canada rouge will leverage the strengths of Air Canada’s extensive network, operational expertise and frequent flyer reward program in order to offer Canadians great value for their vacation travel.”
Michael Friisdahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada’s Leisure Group, continued, “With leisure time at a premium, Air Canada rouge will combine affordable fares, great service and choice leisure destinations with those benefits offered by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations that are valued most by vacation travellers. We look forward to giving them a warm welcome onboard Air Canada rouge, Canada’s affordably stylish leisure airline.”
Special introductory Air Canada rouge fares now on sale to: Venice, Edinburgh, Athens, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica
For its inaugural 2013 season, Air Canada rouge will introduce new routes not currently operated by Air Canada to Venice, Italy and Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition, Air Canada seasonal services from Toronto and Montreal to Athens, Greece will be flown by the leisure carrier. Similarly, existing Air Canada flights operated in cooperation with Air Canada Vacations to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica will be operated by Air Canada rouge effective July 2013.
To celebrate the launch of Air Canada’s new leisure airline, special introductory fares are now available for purchase until December 25, 2012, subject to availability, ataircanada.com and through travel agents, for travel on Air Canada rouge between July and October 26, 2013. Examples of special introductory fares based on Toronto departures:
- Venice, Edinburgh and Toronto/Montreal-Athens: starting as low as $949round-trip including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
- Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samana) and Kingston,Jamaica: starting as low as $269 each way including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
- Costa Rica (San Jose and Liberia): starting as low as $389 each way including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
- Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin and Santa Clara): starting as low as $538round-trip including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges; available exclusively at aircanadavacations.com.
Visit aircanada.com or contact your travel agent for more information on applicable fare conditions.
Air Canada Vacations is also offering great introductory specials for bookings made by December 25, 2012 on air-inclusive vacation packages to select Caribbean and European destinations. Visit aircanadavacations.com for further information.
