Air Canada to expand service to Jamaica

MONTREAL, March 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that beginning this May it will significantly increase its service from Toronto to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston by doubling the number of weekly flights to the Jamaican capital and deploying larger aircraft on certain days of the week. Air Canada will also offer special introductory fares starting as low as $149 each way.

"Air Canada has been serving Jamaica for 62 years. Over that time, Canada and Jamaica have built close ties due to business connections, by having families living in both countries and through a vibrant tourism market. Air transport plays a vital role in maintaining these relationships and, with recent changes in the Jamaican airline industry, Air Canada wants to ensure that there is sufficient capacity linking Canada and Jamaica to meet the demand. As a result, we will be increasing our flights to up to five times a week this summer, more than doubling our current level of service," said Marcel Forget, Vice President Network Planning at Air Canada.

Air Canada currently operates twice a week to Kingston, Jamaica from Toronto using a 120-seat Airbus A319. This summer, frequencies will increase to four times a week beginning in May with service provided on certain days using a Boeing 767 with up to 243 seats. Starting the week of May 3, flights will operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and, beginning June 20, Sunday. In the fall, flights will operate Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Flight AC984 will leave Toronto at 8:15 and arrive in Kingston at 11:15 then flight AC985 will depart Kingston at 12:15 and arrive back in Toronto at 17:15.

Air Canada will also continue to operate its regular service to Montego Bay. Air Canada currently flies 15 times a week to Sangster International Airport from Canada. During the summer it will fly eight times a week.

Air Canada is also offering attractive introductory fares of $149 each way from Toronto for tickets purchased between March 11 and 25, 2010, for travel until June 23, 2010 and $199 each way for travel from June 24 to September 3. Promotional fares from other points in Canada are also available.

Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 171 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network for Canadian domestic, transborder and international travel. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program.

For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), [phone]; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), [phone]; Angela Mah (Vancouver), [phone]; aircanada.com