With Australia and New Zealand at last re-opening to tourism, Air Canada has announced a strategic expansion of its South Pacific schedule with the return of daily service to Sydney starting May 1 and resumption of flights to both Brisbane and Auckland, all through the airline’s Vancouver hub.

“Air Canada is solidifying its market-leading position as the airline providing the most services between Canada and the South Pacific. We are accelerating the restoration of our Australian and New Zealand routes to respond to pent-up travel between our countries as borders reopen,” says airline VP Mark Galardo.

“The seamless connections through in-transit pre-clearance facilities combined with our extensive North American network at our Vancouver hub positions YVR to be the preferred gateway for travel between North America and the South Pacific,” he added.

Service resumption details include:

• Vancouver-Sydney flights ramp up to daily beginning May 1
• Vancouver-Brisbane flights resume July 1, four times weekly
• Vancouver-Auckland flights resume Nov. 10, three times weekly

In Sydney and Brisbane, Air Canada’s flights will connect easily to and from Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Cairns, and other destinations with code-share partner Virgin Australia.

Air Canada may continue to adjust its schedule as more opportunities arise or based on COVID-19’s trajectory and the further easing of travel restrictions by government.