AC Offers Further Boeing 737 MAX Update

With the summer fast approaching, Air Canada is updating travellers on further schedule adjustments through to Aug. 1, 2019, as well as other measures it’s taking – including obtaining additional capacity – in response to the continued grounding by Transport Canada of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

That aircraft has now been removed from Air Canada’s schedule until Aug. 1.

Lucie Guillemette, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada, said that: “With the continued grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, Air Canada is prudently adjusting its schedule and is finalizing arrangements for additional aircraft to transport customers to their destinations. Through these measures, we are giving customers certainty to book their summer travel plans on Air Canada with full confidence. We understand the importance our customers attach to their summer travel and through the actions we are announcing today, Air Canada now has in place a schedule and the capacity to meet travellers’ needs.”

Guillemette pointed out that: “Since the Boeing 737 MAX fleet was grounded on March 13, Air Canada has successfully protected 96% of planned flying through strategic commercial adjustments. This includes optimizing the current fleet, consolidating flights on larger aircraft and extending leases on aircraft planned to exit the fleet.”

She noted that “By leveraging our deep, global network and through arrangements with Star Alliance partner Lufthansa and other airlines to provide capacity, we now have secured sufficient additional capacity to meet our customers’ travel needs this summer.”

In compliance with a safety notice closing Canadian airspace issued by Transport Canada on March 13, 2019, Air Canada grounded its fleet of 24 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Boeing has advised that deliveries of its 737 MAX are currently suspended. Air Canada was expecting to receive another 12 aircraft for a total fleet of 36 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in July.

As the timeline for the return to service of the 737 MAX is unknown, for planning purposes and to provide customers certainty for booking and travel, Air Canada has now removed 737 MAX flying from its schedule until at least August 1, 2019. Final decisions on returning the 737 MAX to service will be based on Air Canada’s safety assessment following the lifting of government safety notices and approval by international regulatory authorities.

For more, go to www.aircanada.com .