Air Canada unveiled a major expansion in its flights to Asia, a high-growth area for Canada's biggest airline in recent years, as it seeks to boost revenue in an attempt to become profitable.
In what it described as its "most far-reaching international expansion of its schedule in its 75-year history," Air Canada said on Thursday it would add flights from Canada to Asian cities including Beijing, Seoul and Narita, Japan. Subject to government approval, the airline will also start flying to Istanbul.
Until now, Air Canada, which has only made a profit one year out of the past six, has tended to emphasize cutting costs as a way to return it to profit. On the revenue front, it is facing a challenge at home from its biggest domestic rival, WestJet Airlines Ltd, which plans to launch a new regional carrier next year to fly between small towns in Canada.
30/11/12 Reuters/Economicn Times
