Air Canada introduces Air Canada rouge

Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300  - Photo: Air Canada

Air Canada introduces Air Canada rouge, its new leisure airline subsidiary, Worldairlinenews.com reports.

According to the Air Canada, the new subsidiary “marks a milestone in the transformation of Canada’s flag carrier to compete in the growing leisure travel sector. Special introductory fares are available for sale beginning today at aircanada.com and through travel agents.

Along with details of the initial destinations it will fly to beginning in July 2013, the name of Canada’s new leisure airline - Air Canada rouge - was announced following a contest launched on Facebook inviting customers, employees and travel industry professionals for their input.”

We look forward to giving them a warm welcome onboard Air Canada rouge, Canada’s affordably stylish leisure airline, says Air Canada's Michael Friisdahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada’s Leisure Group.

Special introductory Air Canada rouge fares now on sale to: Venice, Edinburgh, Athens, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica.
For its inaugural 2013 season, Air Canada rouge will introduce new routes not currently operated by Air Canada to Venice, Italy and Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition, Air Canada seasonal services from Toronto and Montreal to Athens, Greece will be flown by the leisure carrier. 

Existing Air Canada flights operated in cooperation with Air Canada Vacations to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica will be operated by Air Canada rouge effective July 2013.
Air Canada rouge will also operate non-stop flights to Athens from Montreal’s Trudeau Airport, in addition to its Toronto-Athens flights.

The Air Canada rouge fleet will initially be comprised of two Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft to operate transatlantic flights. Airbus A319 aircraft to operate North American flights.

Four aircraft will be released from Air Canada’s existing fleet to Air Canada rouge as the mainline carrier takes delivery of two new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft in 2013, as announced October 1, 2012.

Air Canada rouge will expand to other popular holiday destinations as Air Canada starts to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2014. Air Canada rouge may operate up to 20 Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft and 30 Airbus A319 aircraft, for a total of 50 aircraft.

Two hundred new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at Air Canada rouge. In addition to Air Canada hiring 900 employees to meet its own planned workforce requirements as part of its 2012-2013 recruitment program announced September 20, 2012.