Air Canada to increase service to Ottawa

Ottawa travellers can soonexpect more options when booking flights to both domestic and international destinations.

Air Canadaannounced Friday it is expanding its service to the MacdonaldCartier International Airport by almost 60 per cent compared to 2023.

Changes include:

• Flights to Calgary and Winnipeg year-round
• Larger and more frequent flights to Vancouver, Quebec City and Halifax.
• More winterflights to Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
• More flights to Chicago, New York and Washington through United Airlines.
• More winter flights to Cancun and Punta Canathrough United Airlines.

The changes will see as many as 30 additional flights throughOttawa each week in the winter months, Air Canada said.

Airline officials cited increasing demand as a reason for the change.

The changes signal a long-anticipated rebound from a steep drop in tourism that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Air Canada cut 80 to 95 per cent of its flights, according to then-president and CEO of the airport authority,Mark Laroche.

Now, airport revenue is taking off again.

"This is great news forOttawa'seconomy and recognizes the importance and vibrancy of theOttawamarket on the world stage," said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said in a press release.

Michael Crockatt, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, called the announcementa sign of the airline'sconfidence in the city as a tourism destination.

"AirCanada'sdecision to increase flight capacity toOttawaInternational Airport is a significant development for our city," Crockattsaid in a press release.