Still unconfirmed then, but that's great if true.

Yep, unconfirmed just like LOT Polish but a recent study demonstrated the current routes at YUL are sufficient proportionally to the airport except for a missing connection with Beijing. So I wouldn't be surprised about a new connection with China. Plus, Hainan is already present in Canada.

YYC 12-month ended August 31 recording 15 013 758 passengers. We will probably end this year around 15.4 million.

DHL invests C$2.1 million in new Edmonton facility
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Opens new facility to improve access to oil and gas market and accommodate projected business growth for the next five year

EDMONTON - DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, today announced the opening of a new facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Representing a significant investment of C$2.1 million, this new facility will help DHL Express meet the growing demands of international shipping customers and help to streamline logistics and shipping for energy sector organizations. Additionally, it will, provide Alberta’s SME companies better access to international markets. The new facility opening is the second milestone in DHL’s current commitment to the Alberta market. In September 2014, the company invested more than C$2 million to launch a new commercial flight route to Calgary and Edmonton.

Located at the Edmonton International Airport, the 1,301 square meter facility is more than three times the size of DHL’s previous facility. Designed with efficiency in mind, the facility will allow direct loading from the belt to the van, making this stage of shipping much more efficient. The facility will provide Edmonton customers with a full range of shipping and logistics services such as courier, back office, import and export.

“DHL is focused on growing our business internationally and in the Canadian market by concentrating on our core strengths and seizing the opportunity in new growth areas, and the Alberta region is an excellent example of a market that’s perfectly suited for our services.” said Greg Hewitt, president, DHL Express Canada. “By working to offer services that meet and exceed the needs of Alberta’s vibrant business community, we have grown inbound volumes at 14% year over year in the Alberta market over the last two years. The investments we’re making in this region will help us to continue and build on this trend.”

The opening of the new facility will also allow DHL to continue its ongoing commitment to SMEs in Canada and across the globe. Shipping outside of Canada involves complex logistics as well as a myriad of customs and regulatory factors, and DHL offers SMEs a ‘virtual logistics department’ and consultancy, simplifying international shipping and logistics by offering SMEs DHL’s global knowledge and experience. With more than 90 per cent of Alberta’s businesses reported to fall into the SME category, it is expected that

DHL’s new investments will have a significant impact on the local market by helping to connect Alberta small businesses with international markets, helping them to grow in a competitive economy.

Additional Information:
DHL – The logistics company for the world DHL is the global market leader in the logistics and transportation industry and “The logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, national and international parcel delivery, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation as well as contract and e-commerce related solutions along the entire supply chain. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and around 315,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their shipping and supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education. DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenues of more than 55 billion euros in 2013.
DHL invests C$2.1 million in new Edmonton facility

http://flyeia.com/news/dhl-invests-c...onton-facility

YUL hit 1.52M in August, +6.2% ytd 10.14 million

YYC is now in reach

Too little too late for this year but maybe in 2015. :)

Air Transat unveils its new Europe program for 2015
Carrier to offer direct service to Budapest
and increase flight frequencies to its main European destinations

MONTREAL, Oct. 15, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Transat announced today that it is adding a new destination, Budapest, Hungary, to its transatlantic program for 2015, as well as increasing seats and frequencies on many of its European routes, including Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon, Marseille, Nantes, Rome and Venice. With more than 50 different city-pairs between Canada and Europe, Air Transat maintains its position as the holiday travel leader, and is the only air carrier flying direct from Canada to Eastern Europe.

"This expansion comes in response to the success of our Prague connection, inaugurated this past June, and reflects our intent to be at the forefront of innovation," said Jean-François Lemay, General Manager, Air Transat. "Yet again, Air Transat is differentiating its travel experience, with the addition of weekly direct flights to Budapest departing from Montreal and Toronto. We are extremely proud to be expanding, year after year, the range of destinations we offer Canadian travellers."

Air Transat retains its leadership position as the Canadian air carrier with the most direct flights to France. Besides service to secondary cities, the carrier is now offering twice-daily flights to Paris from Montreal and six a week from Toronto. Air Transat also remains the only airline offering direct flights to Paris from Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver.

In addition, Air Transat announced a new connection between St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, and London, England, with two weekly flights in high season in response to strong demand from travellers in the region. Elsewhere in Canada, the carrier will increase flight frequencies on its London routes as well, offering 10 weekly departures from Toronto, two each from Montreal and Halifax, six from Vancouver, and three from Calgary.

Flights will also be added to Athens and Barcelona from Montreal and Toronto, and to Lisbon from Montreal.

In 2015, Air Transat will no longer offer flights to Germany from Western Canada, and will no longer fly to Turkey. Although the airline is eliminating service between Montreal and Istanbul, Transat will continue to market that destination, with land tours sold under the Transat Holidays and Transat Discoveries brands.

Well, Britain, France, and Germany couldn't possibly have a, in total, 7-hour detour (at best)? They're not big enough.

And U.S. doesn't do it that long. No one has to fly from Denver to LAX and back again, do they?

*****

It sounds like the Japan example works, though.

Fu at

Agree, what do the euro airlines know that the Canadian carriers don't.

AT= YUL (+YYZ)
AC= YYZ (+YUL & YVR)
WS= YYZ/YYC

Everything else is table scraps, nothing matters...

*YYZ+YUL+YVR = almost half of Canada's population. Little wonder things are as they are.

After reports of Hainan Airlines coming to YUL in June 2015, ADM's CEO, James Cherry said a new route with Beijing could happen in the next year, but it would be operated by Air China, Air Canada's partner, according to an article in Le Devoir.

Edmonton Region gains new European gateway: Skies Get Bluer with KLM to Amsterdam
Monday, November 3, 2014

EDMONTON (November 3, 2014) — Starting May 5, 2015, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer non-stop air service between Edmonton International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Year-round service will commence operation with three times a week service on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a fourth Friday flight to be added on June 22 for the summer. The new route will operate with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 30 Business Class seats, 35 Economy Comfort Zone Seats, and 178 Economy seats. The aircraft will also offer wide-body cargo shipping opportunities.

"Adding Edmonton to the worldwide KLM network will enable us to further increase our presence in Canada as we now offer a second destination in the Province of Alberta," declared Pieter Elbers, KLM President and CEO.

"KLM’s new non-stop flight to Amsterdam gives our passengers access to another outstanding European gateway with connections to over 120 destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. KLM is an outstanding world-class airline, renowned for great service and great international destinations, and we're very pleased to be added to that fantastic network," says Tom Ruth, President and CEO of Edmonton International Airport.

“Canada and the Netherlands have a long history of friendship and trade. The new air service will make it easier than ever for Netherlanders and international visitors to explore all Alberta has to offer: our spectacular natural beauty, our vibrant arts and culture scene, and our supportive business environment. Thank you to our partners in helping us open air access to the province, a key priority in Alberta’s Tourism Framework,” says Maureen Kubinec, Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism.

"Edmonton's new Amsterdam service recognizes significant demand from Edmonton and western Canada. This success is a tribute to our community working together to demonstrate the growth of our region, and earn additional air service options for business, visitors and many others. To KLM and its partners, welcome to Edmonton - Canada's fastest-growing city!" says Don Iveson, Mayor, City of Edmonton.

“This is a very positive announcement for the Edmonton business community. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is a strong advocate for access to markets which includes having direct flights to other continents. KLM’s commitment to Edmonton opens up a diverse and established market with new opportunities for Edmonton business,” says James Cumming, President and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

“KLM’s new service from Edmonton to Amsterdam enhances access to continental Europe for the entire Edmonton Region, and that means new business opportunities will emerge. Our city’s growth and economic performance has caught the attention of many leading European companies, and KLM’s decision is a wonderful example of how those companies are investing here with confidence,” says Brad Ferguson, President and CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.

“We are proud with KLM’s announcement that it will grow its network at the airport with four weekly flights to Edmonton. Via Schiphol, the Netherlands are connected with 323 direct destinations for passengers as well as cargo in 99 countries. The expansion of the destinations network of KLM with flights to Edmonton strengthens our connectivity, and provides the business market with direct access to this important destination which serves as gateway to the North of Canada,” says Maarten de Groof, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Schiphol Amsterdam Airport:

KLM is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, a group of twenty airlines including Air France, Delta Airlines, Alitalia, and China Airlines. KLM also offers Flying Blue, a program that allows passengers to earn credits for flights, hotels, vehicle rentals and more.

http://flyeia.com/news/edmonton-regi...-klm-amsterdam

And YVR gets Air France to Paris!

http://yvr.ca/en/flight-information/...769299286.aspx

Meh, it might appear to make sense from certain perspectives. But the success of WJ's St. John's-Dublin and, next year, Halifax-Glasgow as well, will prove a more sensible solution also works.

Both flights originate in Toronto. The only difference is they touch down here for 30 minutes on the way.

I go to Europe, on average, once every couple of years. I'll never fly to TO first anymore, out of principal. If they abolish the direct flights, I'll drive to Bangor and go. And probably still save money.

http://i61.tinypic.com/23lh7gz.jpg

Wtf are you talking about, and to whom are you responding?:???:

^lol

Wondering if it'll be Hainan or Air China flying the route at YUL. But wonderful news!