Air Canada to Launch Flights Between Vancouver and Osaka, Japan

Air Canada is to launch non-stop flights between Vancouver and Osaka, Japan, next summer.

Service to Osaka's Kansai International Airport will be operated up to five flights per week by Air Canada rouge with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering a choice of economy and premium cabins of service.

Flights are planned to begin on 1 May 2015 in time for peak summer travel and seats will be available for purchase on Air Canada's website once Japanese government approval has been obtained.

"We expect this new seasonal service to be particularly popular with vacation travellers from Osaka seeking the renowned scenic beauty, outdoor activities and culture of Vancouver and B.C., as well as with North American customers travelling to Japan's second largest metropolitan centre. The flights to Kansai International Airport have been timed to connect conveniently at Air Canada's Vancouver hub to and from our extensive North American network," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines. "The expansion of Air Canada rouge to compete in the fast-growing Asian leisure market in tandem with Air Canada's mainline fleet renewal, is a key element of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth at both airlines. By next summer, Air Canada rouge, Air Canada, and Star Alliance partner airline ANA will offer up to six daily non-stop flights between Canada and Japan."

Air Canada rouge flights from Vancouver to Kansai International Airport will operate up to five times weekly until 24 October 2015.

"This new Air Canada rouge service between Vancouver and Osaka, Japan further strengthens our already excellent air connections to Asia and reinforces YVR as the Asian gateway to North America," said B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Todd Stone. "Attracting new air passenger and cargo routes is a key pillar of our Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy and the BC Jobs Plan. With Air Canada rouge now touching down in Osaka, business travellers and tourists will have better access to more destinations in B.C., Canada, Japan and Asia."