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
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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.