Air Transat operated its first commercial flights Friday after six months of inactivity due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The relaunch of service kicked off the airline’s summer program, which will include, at the height of the season, 24 routes to 16 destinations in Canada, the US, the South, and Europe. On Monday Air Transat also celebrated the launch of its new direct service between Vancouver and Quebec City.
Three flights took place on Friday: Montreal-Punta Cana, Punta Cana-Montreal and Montreal-Vancouver, prompting Transat president and CEO Annick Guérard to say, “It is with great joy and excitement that we return to the skies after these long months of suspension. We are thrilled to finally reunite with our travellers and allow them to reconnect with their favourite destinations…”
She added that company’s Traveller Care health and safety program and the practical guide on travel requirements have been adjusted and updated to reflect the latest conditions.
Joseph Adamo, Transat’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer said the Vancouver/ Quebec City route was a natural choice for the summer schedule. “As we predicted, travellers are showing a strong interest in domestic destinations, so we are pleased to offer them this new route linking two of Canada’s most important tourist hubs.”
Highlights of Transat’s service will include:
• An extensive program of domestic flights between Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver including the exclusive direct flights between Quebec City and Vancouver, a first for the airline. Flights will be offered once a week, on Mondays from Vancouver and on Sundays from Quebec City, until October 25.
• The domestic program allows Canadians to travel to more international destinations via connecting flights from Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec City.
• From Montreal, Air Transat will gradually operate direct flights to Cuba (Holguin and Varadero), the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), France (Paris), Haiti (Port-au-Prince), Mexico (Cancun), Portugal (Lisbon) and the US (Fort Lauderdale and Orlando).
• Travellers from Toronto will be able to fly direct to Cuba (Holguin and Varadero), the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), England (London), Mexico (Cancun), Portugal (Porto) and the US (Fort Lauderdale and Orlando).
• From Quebec City, direct flights will be offered to Fort Lauderdale.
• A selection of South packages, featuring 160 properties and four collections: Luxury, Out of Office, Family and Solo.
Transat cautions that depending on the evolution of travel restrictions, it may have to modify its flight schedule, but reassures that travellers affected by major changes would be eligible for a refund.
New aircraft
The transformation of Air Transat’s fleet continues with the delivery of three new Airbus A321neoLR, bringing the total number of the aircraft to 10. Seven more are expected to be delivered progressively by 2023.
The company notes that the new generation aircraft have the lowest environmental impact in their class, furthering a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.