Air Canada Launches Non-stop Beijing–Toronto Flight

Air Canada on April 28 launched its non-stop service between Beijing and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during a gala held at the Kerry Centre in Beijing.

Canada's Ambassador to China Joseph Caron said the flight is a direct result of a new bilateral air agreement concluded in April after meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and will expand existing services between China and Canada.

Caron said, "This is a benefit to both our overall economies."

He said the new flight will make it easier for Canadians to attend the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and for Chinese to visit the Vancouver Games in 2010 and other Canadian attractions.

Duncan Dee, chief administrative officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Incorporated, Air Canada's parent company, said new Boeing aircraft will be used on the new flight to Toronto, Canada's most important airline hub, which he said will provide easy access for Chinese passengers to cities in the United States, Cuba and the remainder of Latin America.

"We expect to see Canada achieve 'approved destination status' within a couple of months, so this will provide great convenience for Chinese travellers visiting Canada."

For more information about Air Canada, see: http://www.aircanada.com/en/home.html