Apr 26 2005
Boeing and Air Canada have announced an agreement to renew the airline's wide-body fleet with up to 36 Boeing 777s and up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Air Canada will use the airplanes to modernize its existing fleet and improve operating efficiencies.
The agreement includes firm orders for 18 777s, plus purchase rights for 18 more, in a yet-to-be-determined mix of the newest 777 models: the 777-300ER, the 777-200LR Worldliner (the longest range airplane in the world), and the 777 Freighter. Deliveries of the 777s begin next year.
The agreement also includes firm orders for 14 787s, a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s, plus options and purchase rights for an additional 46 airplanes. Air Canada's first 787 will be delivered in 2010.
The firm orders are valued at approximately $6 billion at list prices. The order is subject to several conditions including final documentation. The companies expect to finalize the agreement by mid year.
Montreal-based Air Canada said last week its strategy for passenger service includes enhanced daily non-stop flights between Toronto and Beijing by 2006, and Toronto and Shanghai flights by the middle of next year. It will start Vancouver to Guangzhou service in the summer of 2007.
For cargo operations, Air Canada will begin offering Toronto to Shanghai service next month and boost that cargo service on daily routes next year. Canada's flag carrier also expects to start Toronto to Guangzhou cargo service in 2007 and eventually plans to add Tianjin to its freight operations.
http://www.boeing.com