But it's not often the type of media coverage AC would like to have.

For the most part, however, new routes or augmented service is not a big media story. [Other than the fact that traffic to Asia is returning to normal levels following the SARS-induced collapse which severly affect the bottom lines of CX, SQ, AC and UA more than most other carriers.] AC sends the news out to TAs and might put out a press release to Travel Section editors. This is not a knock at the role Empress plays here, but I seriously question this information is of much interest to more than a handful of people. Yes, knowing there are more Aeroplan seats to Hawaii so you can get first crack at them is going to be of interest to a few hundred folks. But since AC has pretty much embargo'd bookings between YVR and HNL until the new schedule was firmed up -- knowing it has leases for the 767s it plans to use -- and just taken SYD through bookings for the most part, this is setting the stage for announcing the winter sked. Anyone seeking winter Aeroplan seats to HNL already would have been told that they should book early and keep checking. Not ideal, I agree, but I am sure this weekend's travel sections will contain a small blurb about AC's new winter sked.

Same with NRT. Capacity increase is not earth shaking, unless it is a return to daily service from less frequent service. Just another indication that this market it returning to "normal" levels.

As for non-stops ex-YYZ to Asia, I suspect one of the reasons for not doing anything more than the new India service, is AC's desire to control capacity via YVR, keep transcon flights frequent and topped up with this core feeder traffic. Until T1New is in full operations, there will be considerable strain put on intercontinental operations particularly, given restrictions on the traffic that can be handled at the Infield Terminal. As well, fleet uncertainties dictate using the more flexible lease arrangements available for 767s for the time being, rather than relying on A340s until AC emerges from CCAA and can rationalize its fleet.

BTW, CX is now routing its YYZ-HKG "non-stop" via YVR. It will not have local traffic rights, but was forced to adjust this flight route because of new US transit visa restrictions that made Ancourage no longer available for the refueling stop. This means both the JFK and YYZ flights will be stopping for early morning departures from YVR, though no local boarding of the YYZ flight will be permitted.