Air Canada is reportedly considering launching a charter airline to compete with Canada 3000 and Air Transat, as it rethinks the hub location for its new low-cost operator.
Air Canada will not comment on the plan, which it has considered before. A charter operation would complement the new discount airline division. It would also follow the relaunch on 24 September of the airline's five regional feeder carriers as a single brand.
Meanwhile, the new low-cost carrier, which will be launched before the end of year, is now to be based in Vancouver to allow it to compete directly with Calgary-based WestJet. The original plan was for the airline to operate out of Hamilton, Ontario, where WestJet has its eastern Canadian hub.
20 of Air Canada's 43 Boeing 737-200s will be transferred to the discount airline, with up to eight of the first 10 aircraft serving the west and only two serving Eastern Canada. About 105 pilots from Air Canada are to be assigned to the airline, of which 79 will be based in Vancouver.
Source: Flight International
