http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/a.../17/c3991.html

MONTREAL, Dec. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it will introduce daily non-stop seasonal service between St. John's and London Heathrow, U.K. offering convenient connecting flights throughout Europe with its Star Alliance partner carriers. Air Canada will operate the only daily non-stop service between Newfoundland and Labrador and London Heathrow between May 27, 2010 and September 26, 2010.

"For the past several months we have worked closely with the local community and the Airport Authority to offer travellers in Newfoundland and Labrador the convenience of the only daily non-stop service to London Heathrow in time for the peak summer travel season," said Nick Careen, Vice President, Airports, Air Canada in St. John's with airport, tourism and government officials. "With this improved schedule, we believe our customers in Newfoundland and Labrador will value this direct link to the U.K., as the fastest and most efficient way of making connections to several European capitals such as Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Vienna, Moscow, as well as Dubai. We hope the support for this route will enable us to operate it again next year and even extend it year-round. Air Canada is proud to serve Newfoundland and Labrador with safe and reliable air transportation since 1942, and we are committed to look ahead for new opportunities with the support of our customers."

"After months of working with Air Canada, we're very encouraged by Air Canada's confidence in the St. John's market and their decision to offer a daily direct flight between St. John's and London Heathrow," said Keith Collins, President and CEO of the St. John's International Airport Authority. "Our community has strongly expressed their need and their desire for Air Canada to reestablish this important link to Europe and we're delighted that they've decided to begin the service at a time when travel between St. John's and Europe is anticipated to increase due to the development of the Hebron project."

"Destination St. John's congratulates Air Canada on this decision and its expression of confidence in Newfoundland and Labrador. This service will open up opportunities to attract meetings, conventions and events that have a European component to St. John's. We all need to work to fill these planes with business and leisure travelers to ensure the business case on this route remains compelling," said Keith Healey, CEO, Destination St. John's.

"There is a reason to fly internationally in and out of St. John's, and it is because of the vibrancy of our economy," said St. John's Board of Trade Chair Bruce Templeton. "Air Canada has recognized a sustainable opportunity based on the current strength of our local business community and the positive outlook we have for continued growth and success. We have major projects like Hebron coming to fruition and a number that look promising for development. European air access is a vital link to new global economic opportunities that will help maintain our momentum."

"I am very pleased that Air Canada has recognized the value of reinstating this air connection to Europe," stated St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe. "There is a real confidence in the St. John's and provincial economy over the past few years. With the impending major resource developments, expansion of ocean technology and the growth of St. John's as a host for international conferences, I anticipate there will be significant take up in this service."

"I am pleased to hear about this expansion of service between St. John's and London, England," said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "This direct flight will not only benefit Canadians, but will attract more visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador and support our local economy."

Air Canada flight AC822 will leave St. John's at 21:55, arriving in London at 06:25, and flight AC823 will leave London at 12:35 arriving in St. John's at 14:35.

At London Heathrow Air Canada offers convenient connections to points throughout Europe with its Star Alliance partners: SAS Scandinavian Airlines to Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo; bmi British Midland to Glasgow, Dublin, Aberdeen and Manchester; and Austrian Airlines to Vienna. In St. John's Air Canada's flights are timed to offer convenient connections to and from Deer Lake, Halifax, Montréal and Toronto.

The carrier will operate the route using newly refurbished 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration offering a choice of Executive Class and Economy service. The A319 jets feature Air Canada's personal entertainment system with 8.9-inch wide digital in-seat monitors and touch-screen controls offering hours of audio and video on demand programming at every seat. Other features include in-seat power within reach of every customer.

Air Canada's new St. John's-London Heathrow service will complement the carrier's daily non-stop flights to London Heathrow from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax. In 2010 the carrier will offer up to 84 flights each week from Canada to London Heathrow.