Air Canada issues statement ahead of anticipated travel surge

MONTREAL — Following a meeting of senior Air Canada representatives and other key participants in the Canadian aviation industry with Canada’s Federal Transport Minister, the airline has issued the following statement.

“We are determined not to disappoint and have been long preparing for a travel surge this summer, including coordinating with our industry partners. As all businesses worldwide are finding, restarting after COVID is an extremely complex task and we deeply appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience during these often-frustrating times. I also thank our dedicated employees who are working hard to serve our customers and transport them safely,” said Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive officer of Air Canada.

Air Canada currently operates more than 1,000 flights daily and regularly carries more than 120,000 people. In recognition of the importance Canadians place on travel and its value to the Canadian economy, Air Canada says it has recommitted to keep working alongside its industry partners and with the federal government to help maintain a reliable air transportation system.

Air Canada has been restoring its schedule as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19. This summer it plans to operate below its pre-pandemic capacity as the industry stabilizes. In support of this, the carrier has recalled employees laid off during the pandemic and continues to hire additional workers. It currently has 32,000 employees, versus approximately 33,000 prior to the pandemic while operating approximately 80 per cent of its June 2019 schedule.