BEIJING and MONTREAL, May 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – Air China and Air Canada said today they are preparing for the launch of non-stop flights between Beijing and Montreal that will create the first transpacific direct link between Asia and Montreal. The flights will be operated by Air China starting on September 29, 2015, initially three times a week, with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Air Canada will place its code on the flights for sale on a codeshare basis in a first phase. In the second phase, subject to requisite approvals by the relevant competition authorities, Air Canada and Air China intend to form a comprehensive revenue sharing joint venture in respect of all flights between China and Canada, which would ensure the long-term sustainability of the new Beijing-Montreal service. Seats are now available for purchase.

With the launch of non-stop Beijing-Montreal service, the Star Alliance carriers will offer convenient connections and seamless transfers for customers to other cities in China, Canada and the United States via their hubs in Beijing and Montreal.

As previously announced, Air China and Air Canada signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2014 in Beijing setting out the principles for an integrated revenue sharing joint venture. The MOU provides for an enhanced partnership on routes between China and Canada which is expected to stimulate traffic growth between the two countries and is subject to Air Canada and Air China making the necessary filings, obtaining competition and other regulatory approvals and finalizing documentation. The joint venture is expected to come into effect in the second half of 2015.

“We are delighted to announce the planned introduction of the first non-stop service between Beijing and Montreal in September,” said Song Zhiyong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air China Limited. “This new route to Canada’s second largest city will strengthen the links between China and Canada; it will provide travellers with convenient travel options in cooperation with our partner Air Canada whose extensive North American network includes many cities easily served from Montreal throughout Quebec, Atlantic Canada and the United States. We look forward to continuing to develop our enhanced partnership with Air Canada and to implementing our comprehensive joint venture upon receiving all necessary approvals.”

“We look forward to offering customers the first transpacific direct link from Montreal to Asia and developing our partnership with Air China through a joint venture that will provide customers of both carriers additional travel options,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “As Star Alliance member airlines, we offer customers a simplified travel experience along with the benefits of loyalty rewards. Non-stop flights between Montreal and Beijing will provide connections to cities throughout China via Air China’s main hub in Beijing and complement Air Canada-operated flights from Toronto and Vancouver.”

“This is great news for the metropolitan region and Montréal’s business community in particular,” said Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre. “Our ability to draw foreign businesses greatly depends on the availability of direct links from our airport. Furthermore, we hope this flight will further strengthen our relations with China.”

“Aéroports de Montréal is delighted to welcome Air China to Montréal–Trudeau beginning September 29,” said James Cherry, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal. “The introduction of direct service between Montréal and Beijing has been a priority for ADM. We are convinced that this first-ever non-stop transpacific route linking Montréal to Asia will be a huge success, with great benefits to the Montréal community in terms of tourism as well as trade and business.”

With the new Beijing-Montreal route, Air China will place its CA code on Air Canada flights between Montreal and select cities in Canada, subject to the government approval. Air China operates up to 11 flights per week between Beijing and Vancouver. Air Canada operates up to a total of 28 flights per week between Canada and China, from Toronto and Vancouver to and from Beijing and Shanghai. Currently, Air China offers its customers codeshare flights operated by Air Canada between Vancouver and six Canadian cities (Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal). Air Canada currently offers customers AC codeshare flights operated by Air China between Beijing and six cities in China (Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenyang, Wuhan and Xi’an).