MONTREAL
,
Dec. 3
/CNW Telbec/ - Air
Canada
today welcomed the decision by the Government of
China
to grant
Canada
Approved Destination Status, making it easier for Chinese nationals to visit
Canada
.
"I want to express Air Canada's gratitude to Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
for delivering Approved Destination Status to
Canada
after many years of negotiations between the two countries. This opens significant opportunities for Air
Canada
to further build on its already extensive service to
China
and Asia and should boost the Canadian economy by making
Canada
an even more attractive destination for the increasing number of Chinese people who are travelling abroad for pleasure as well as business," said
Duncan Dee
, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Air
Canada
.
The Canadian federal government estimates the Approved Destination Status designation will add
$100 million
a year in increased revenue for the Canadian tourism industry and translate into up to 50,000 more Chinese arrivals per year in
Canada
.
Air
Canada
is a leading North American carrier with year round daily service to
China
. In the summer it offers daily, non-stop service from
Toronto
to
Beijing
,
Shanghai
and
Hong Kong
, while from
Vancouver
it offers daily non-stop flights to
Hong Kong
and up to seven flights per week to each of
Shanghai
and
Beijing
.
About Air Canada
----------------
Montreal-based Air
Canada
provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 33 million customers annually. Air
Canada
is a founding member of
Star Alliance
, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network.
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; aircanada.com
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