Air China increases flights to British Columbia

AIR CHINA INCREASES FLIGHTS TO BRITISH COLUMBIA

VANCOUVER - Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond

joined officials from Air China Canada to confirm Air China will

increase their Vancouver service by three new direct flights a week, for

a total of 10 weekly direct flights between Beijing and Vancouver.

Air China Canada officials also announced the selection of the newly

expanded Prince George Airport as Air China's alternate airport.

Bond, along with Air China Canada general manager Zhigang He and Air

China Canada senior advisor David Solloway, were joined by Vancouver

Airport Authority president and CEO Larry Berg and Prince George Airport

Authority marketing and business development director Todd Doherty.

"This is great news for British Columbia and is a direct result from the

work undertaken at the 2009 International Open Skies Summit in

September," said Bond. "In addition to the increased Air China service

to Vancouver, Prince George being chosen as Air China's alternate

airport is a huge win for northern B.C."

Air China, China's national airline and official flag carrier, will add

three more flights a week in addition to its daily non-stop flights from

Vancouver to Beijing. The new flights will begin in June 2010 arriving

in Vancouver on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flights to Beijing will depart Vancouver in the early morning on

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Prince

George Airport is the chosen alternate airport should flights need to be

diverted from Vancouver International Airport.

"Air China has long wanted to expand its service from Vancouver to

Beijing and we believe this opportunity will benefit business interests

in both our countries," said He. "From our hub in Beijing, travelers can

connect to 123 destinations in 28 countries and regions throughout the

world."

"The move to open up more flights to Air China is one more way for

British Columbia to market itself to the world and promote both business

and leisure travel," said Berg.

"Air China's commitment to British Columbia goes back decades, and

through this announcement they have again demonstrated their belief in

the product we are offering today and in our vision for our airport and

for our region for the future," said Doherty. "We will continue building

our product and promoting our city and region as a transportation hub

connecting North America to the Asia Pacific."