Air Canada to add more international flights next summer

Air Canada will expand its international network next summer, launching new services to Europe, resuming some flights to Japan and increasing flight frequency to several destinations as the airline eyes a more fulsome recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montreal-based airline announced on Thursday that it will launch new flights to Europe next summer, flying from Toronto to Brussels, Montreal to Toulouse and Montreal to Copenhagen five times a week starting in June. Air Canada will also resume additional service to Japan, flying from Toronto to Tokyo Haneda daily starting next May, and from Vancouver to Osaka four days a week beginning next June. It resumed flights to Tokyo's Narita airport in April. The announcement comes after Japan introduced new border measures this fall that allow all foreign nationals entry with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test, easing two years of pandemic restrictions. Air Canada says it will also increase the frequency of flights on existing routes across its international network, including on various flights to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, South America, Australia and Asia. "We continue to pursue our disciplined approach of expanding our global network in response to anticipated demand," Air Canada's senior vice-president of network planning Mark Galardo said. "Customers can start planning ahead and book with confidence." Earlier this month, Air Canada announced new daily transborder flights between Halifax and Newark, and between Vancouver and Houston. The increase in the number of flights is part of Air Canada's response to a surge in demand for international travel in the post-pandemic recovery. While the expansion signals that the airline's capacity will increase next summer, it remains to be seen whether it will reach or surpass pre-pandemic levels.<br/>