Strong forward bookings out of New Zealand have encouraged Air Canada to increase its Auckland-Vancouver service to five times a week from December – just a matter of weeks after the carrier resumes the service three times a week on 12 November.

Vic Naughton, AC’s general manager Australia and New Zealand, says bookings are ahead of where they were in 2019 when Air Canada last flew the route.

Air Canada’s sales from this market, in advance of the coming direct service between Auckland and Vancouver mid December, have already exceeded expectations, says the airline’s general manager Australia and New Zealand Vic Naughton.

The ease and convenience of using Vancouver Airport as a gateway to other points in North America (either in transit or combined with a stopover) is being emphasised to the New Zealand trade from Air Canada as the airline prepares for the introduction of direct AKL-YVR seasonal service later this year.