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Air Canada Express

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Air Canada Express
Founded3 May 2011
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programAeroplan
AllianceStar Alliance (affiliate)
Fleet size121[1][2][3]
Parent companyAir Canada
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec, Canada

Air Canada Express is a brand name of regional feeder flights for Air Canada that are subcontracted to other airlines. Presently, Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines are the sole operators of Air Canada Express flights. They primarily connect smaller cities with Air Canada's domestic hub airports and focus cities, although they offer some point-to-point and international service to the United States.

History

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Air Canada Express Bombardier Q400 in the current livery.

On 26 April 2011, Air Canada announced its intention to retire the Air Canada Jazz brand and create the Air Canada Express brand.[4] Prior to establishing the Express name, the flights operated primarily under the Air Canada Jazz or Air Canada Alliance banners.

As of January 2020, Air Georgian no longer provided services under the capacity purchase agreement. Those services were transferred back to Jazz Aviation. On 1 March 2021, it was also announced that Sky Regional would also no longer provide services under the capacity purchase agreement and therefore Jazz Aviation would become the sole operator of the express brand.[5]

Air Canada Express Embraer 175 in a former livery.

However, in May 2023, Air Canada signed a letter of intent with PAL Airlines for a five-year capacity purchase agreement. This deal involved the purchase of up to six Bombardier Q400s from Air Canada, which PAL Airlines would operate under the Air Canada Express brand in addition to their existing schedule and charter business.[6] In the announcement, Air Canada described the prospective agreement with PAL Airlines as a "bridging arrangement" due to a need for additional regional capacity as a result of industry-wide pilot shortages.[citation needed] Service with PAL began in July 2023.[7]

Destinations

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Main article: List of Air Canada destinations § List of destinations served by Air Canada Express

Operators and fleet

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Current fleet

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As of June 2024, the fleet consists of the following aircraft:[1][2][3]

Air Canada Express fleet
Operator Aircraft In service Passengers[1] Notes
J Y Total
Jazz Aviation Bombardier CRJ200[a] 15  – 50 50 All aircraft are listed as CL-600-2B19 (Series 100) by TC[8]
Bombardier CRJ900[b] 35 12 64 76 All aircraft are listed as CL-600-2D24 (Series 900) by TC[8]
Bombardier Q400 39 – 78 78 All aircraft are listed as Dehavilland DHC-8-402 by TC
Embraer 175 25 12 64 76 All aircraft are listed as ERJ 170-200 SU by TC
PAL Airlines Bombardier Q400 7 – 76 76 PAL has 13 Q400 (402)
Total 121

Historical fleet

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Air Canada Jazz CRJ200 in a former livery.

The Air Canada Express brand, through its various regional and commuter airline partners, operated a variety of turbofan and twin turboprop aircraft over the years including the following types:

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ as "Mitsubishi CRJ200 (CRJ)" on Air Canada website.
  2. ^ as "Mitsubishi CRJ900 (CR9)" on Air Canada website.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Our Fleet". Air Canada. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Jazz Aviation". Transport Canada. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for PAL Airlines". Transport Canada. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Air Canada Launches New Regional Brand". Financial Post. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Air Canada Revises the Terms of its Capacity Purchase Agreement with Chorus Aviation for Regional Flying". News Release Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  6. ^ "PAL Airlines inches closer to deal to fly more routes under Air Canada Express brand". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  7. ^ Villamizar, Helwing (5 July 2023). "PAL Airlines' Inaugural Flight with Air Canada Completed". Airways Mag. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Bombardier CRJ Series". 3 August 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
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