With the reintroduction of daily service to Sydney (SYD) and the restart of flights to both Brisbane (BNE) and Auckland (AKL), Air Canada is beefing up its transpacific schedule (AKL).
From May 1, the airline expects to expand the number of flights between Vancouver (YVR) and Sydney from three to daily. Flights from Vancouver to Brisbane will resume on July 1, operating four times a week, while flights to Auckland will begin on November 10, operating three times a week.
“We are accelerating the restoration of our Australian and New Zealand routes to respond to pent-up travel between our countries as borders reopen,” Air Canada SVP of network planning and revenue manager Mark Galardo said.
After nearly two years of travel bans due to the epidemic, Australia’s borders reopened to overseas tourists on February 21. Travelers who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now allowed to enter the country without being quarantined.
New Zealand also confirmed on March 16 that the reopening of its borders has been accelerated.
Visitors from Australia who are completely vaccinated will be permitted to enter without having to self-isolate on arrival starting April 13, while travelers from approximately 60 countries on a visa-waiver list will be able to enter starting May 2. Canada is on that list.
“Our restored South Pacific flights and vast North American network will support local tourism and hospitality sectors,” Galardo said. “Customers can start planning ahead and book with confidence.”
According to OAG Schedules Analyser, Vancouver-Brisbane is currently underserved, despite Qantas’ three-times-weekly Vancouver-Sydney flights and Air New Zealand’s twice-weekly Vancouver-Auckland flights.
Air Canada’s Boeing 777 flights from YVR to SYD leave at 11.15 a.m. and arrive at 7.45 a.m. two days later. The return journey begins at 9.30 a.m. and ends at 7.10 a.m.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, 787s will fly from Vancouver to Brisbane, departing at 10.55 p.m. The return flights leave BNE at 6.50 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 787s will fly from Vancouver to Auckland, New Zealand. The return voyage departs at 2.30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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