Air Canada on Wednesday conducted its inaugural flight from Toronto, Canada to Doha, Qatar.
Air Canada’s route launch from Toronto to Doha means that Hamas International Airport in Doha is the only airport in the Gulf to have a scheduled service from a North American Airline according to a press release.
Air Canada also says that the operations to Doha will allow for useful connections across Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and SouthEast Asia.
Doha based Qatar Airways which recently announced a codeshare agreement with Air Canada, was equally excited about the launch. Stefanie McCollum, Canada’s ambassador to Qatar and Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamas International Airport were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways was also present at the ceremony. The flight was welcomed in Doha by a water cannon salute.
“Canada is a strategically important market for Qatar Airways, and this service will complement our existing four weekly service to Montreal and provide our travellers with additional options when planning travel to and from Canada. We look forward to harnessing our complementary strengths to increase choices for our thousands of passengers and enable smooth connectivity to a significant number of new destinations – particularly throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”, said Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways.
Air Canada’s Toronto-Doha flight will run three-times-a-week. The flights will be operated by a B787 Dreamliner. Check the schedule below:
- Toronto-Doha
- Departure time- 20:00
- Arrival time- 16:30 (the next day)
- Flight time- 12 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number- AC58
- Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Doha-Toronto
- Departure time- 9:00
- Arrival time- 15:25
- Flight time- 14 hours and 25 minutes
- Flight number- AC59
- Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
WestJet B787 expansion
WestJet is expanding its southbound operations. The Canadian carrier is adding flights Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo, Mexico, Liberia and Costa Rica from Calgary next month. The airline is also resuming flights between Aruba and Toronto and between Kona, Hawaii and Vancouver.
Flights between Calgary and Cancun will be operated by a Boeing B787 Dreamliner from 8th January,2021. Flights between Calgary and Puerto Vallarta will begin from 23rd January,2021 also by a Boeing B787 Dreamliner.
“WestJet continues to welcome the introduction of new COVID-19 testing programs and pilots to ensure that our guests can confidently and safely travel abroad, With new destinations and the introduction of our Dreamliner service to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, guests can book with additional peace of mind knowing our flexible change and cancel policies remain in place for the new year.”, said Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer, WestJet.
What do you think of Air Canada’s new Doha route and WestJet’s expansion with a B787 Dreamliner? Let us know in the comments section below.