YVR Says Buongiorno to Air Transat's Direct Seasonal Service to Rome

Weekly flight will connect travellers to Italy's history-steeped capital city for the first time

RICHMOND, BC, Sept. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Air Transat today announced its European flights for 2016, which includes the launch of direct, weekly seasonal service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport (FCO). Beginning June 17, 2016, the new service will be Vancouver's first non-stop service to Rome, Italy.

"Along with thousands of local Italophiles, we are delighted that Air Transat has added Rome to YVR's summer destination list," said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "This new service creates additional opportunities for tourism and trade and strengthens our growing air service relationship with Europe."

Air Transat's new service will generate almost $1 million in Gross Domestic Product, $400,000 in wages to the B.C. economy and an additional 60 jobs at YVR and B.C.'s hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Flights will operate as follows:

Route	Departs	Arrives
Vancouver - Rome	Friday at 13:40 (1:40 p.m.)	Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Rome - Vancouver	Saturday at 11:45 a.m.	Saturday at 14:55 (2:55 p.m.)

An Airbus A330-200 will operate on the route, with capacity of 345 seats including 12 in Club Class (Business Class) and 333 seats in Economy Class.

Montreal-based Air Transat is a leading holiday carrier, serving more than three million passengers per year. In 2015, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline also operates flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Gatwick, Manchester, Cancun, Santa Clara, Puerto Vallarta and Calgary from YVR.

About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served more than 19 million passengers in 2014. Fifty-three airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 110 non-stop destinations worldwide. YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the sixth consecutive year, and Best Airport in the World for its size category of 10-20 million passengers, in the 2015 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2014 donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority

YVR Media Relations, 604.880.9815; [email protected], Twitter: @yvrairport