Air Canada plans to add more flights between China and the two busiest Canadian hubs after Canada received "approved destination status," clearing the way for Chinese group tours to the country.
Canada’s biggest airline said it will add daily non-stop service from Toronto and Vancouver to Beijing and Shanghai on a year-round basis. Those routes operate only a few days each week outside the peak four-month summer travel season.
The new tourism status represents a bright spot for the Canadian airline industry, which has been bruised by the recession and slumping demand in travel.
In 2008, 159,000 Chinese visitors came to Canada, up 5% from the previous year.
Reuters reports that excluding routes it acquired through acquisitions, Air Canada has flown to China for about 10 years.
Reuters reports that excluding routes it acquired through acquisitions, Air Canada has flown to China for about 10 years.