MONTREAL, Feb. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that it is
smoothing the route to Asia this summer by doubling its daily Vancouver-
Beijing service and increasing the frequencies of its Toronto-Shanghai non-
stop flights.
    "Air Canada is securing its position as the leading North American
carrier to China this summer by adding a second daily Vancouver-Beijing flight
and improving its Toronto-Shanghai schedule. These added flights represent
nearly a 50 per cent capacity increase for the growing Chinese market, which
continues to thrive due to strength in both leisure and business travel," said
Daniel Shurz, Vice President, Network Planning, at Air Canada. "With these
enhancements Air Canada strengthens its position as the carrier with the most
frequencies between Vancouver and China and as the only airline with non-stop
service to China from eastern Canada."
    The added Vancouver-Beijing daily flight will operate between July 1 and
September 30, using a 211-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The Toronto-Shanghai
service will begin April 6 with service three days a week. Effective June 30,
it will increase to daily service starting for the summer peak and continue as
a three-day-a-week service for the 2007-2008 winter schedule.
    In total, Air Canada will operate five daily non-stops between Canada and
China this summer, the most of any airline. Customers will have the
opportunity to enjoy Air Canada's premium Executive First Service, including
lie-flat seats on new Boeing 777 aircraft on select flights (between Toronto
and Beijing), take advantage of Aeroplan membership, and benefit from
convenient connections made possible by Air Canada's extensive North American
and international network.

    Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 30 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of
335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the
world's most comprehensive air transportation network.