Air Canada conducted its second annual Black History celebratory flight from Montreal to Halifax on Tuesday – an operation that was planned, supported, and operated by Black pilots, flight attendants, managers, and employees on the ground and behind the scenes.

Taking place on the last day of Black History Month, Flight AC660 from Montreal Trudeau airport to Halifax Stanfield included some Air Canada employees and special guests who went on to visit Africville to learn more about the rich Black cultural heritage and the long and deep Black history roots in the Halifax area.

“Air Canada salutes its Black employees who have proudly championed their identity and pride to showcase their achievements and contributions to aviation,” said Air Canada executive VP Arielle Meloul-Wechsler. “This is the second year in a row we have applauded Black excellence with a celebration flight, and we are thrilled to highlight our employees’ professional achievements. They are incredible ambassadors and role models for the next generation of Black youth.”

In its internal voluntary surveys, 684 Air Canada employees self-identified as Black, and work in senior management, leadership, specialized professional positions, and across all work groups including pilots, flight attendants, customer service agents, maintenance technicians and ground support crews.

“Being asked to help lead and organize this second Black Excellence Flight for Air Canada is an honour that I cannot express in words,” commented Andrew Free, Manager, STOC Oversight for Montreal and Quebec City. “I am proud of the example we are setting and showing as a Black community and as an Air Canada family.

“We are highlighting to aspiring young Black kids that there are people in the aviation industry that look like them and that they, too, can be a part of this incredible industry. We are demonstrating to them that Air Canada celebrates Black History and that ‘You are Black History.’”

“To me, being a Black aviation professional means having the responsibility to mentor the next generation of young aviators,” added William Batson, Manager, Line Operations, Flight Operations in Toronto, and Captain of flight AC660. “I am extremely fortunate today because of the efforts of the few Black pilots that came before me. I appreciate and thank all the many hard-working professionals who have contributed to the success of the day.”