Didn't Corsair serve YQM at some point ?

Yes....see my post above from Thursday:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=6464

As well as Moncton-Paris on Canada 3000 Airlines:

http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/bnb/2000e0424et.htm

I agree with you. However, the reason why corsair failed at YQM is because they didn't have the right aircraft to operate the route. AC now has the right aircraft, if they so wish to start the route. Same with TS, that is soon getting A321LRs, which are more than capable of operating YQM-CDG.

If Moncton is going to get Paris back, it is going to be at the hands of one of these two. My money's on TS more than AC, for the very same reason you mentioned.

Well waddiya know, after about 20 years of waiting we have an expanded bilateral with the U.A.E. (and also Egypt) https://www.businessamlive.com/canad...mirates-egypt/

Air Canada finally OK with it?

Definitely not groundbreaking stuff. Very conservative increases, as usual.

More or less 2 extra frequencies each for EK and EY. I fully expect all these extra seats to go to YYZ.

As for Egypt, MS can now go daily to YYZ, and AC can launch up to daily YUL-CAI if they so wish, which is one of the potential routes I had identified.

Another possibility is MS staying 5x weekly to YYZ, and returning to YUL with 2x weekly service, like they used to.

I dont think the ORY-YQM-YUL-YQM-ORY routing was very feasible on either the the 747 or 330. Take off and climb burns a lot of fuel and both those birds are thirsty. It was fun to watch though in a small town like YQM.

I agree with you that YQM-CDG/ORY and even YQM-FRA/MUC would work on a Max8 or 321LR for sure. I just dont think it will be a Canadian carrier. Im thinking one of the low cost EU carriers would be a better bet. Heres to hoping! It is ridiculous that in the early 2000s we had 2 European carriers providing a weekly service to Paris and 1 to Hannover Germany and after the last decade of expansion in worldwide air travel YQM doesnt even have those anymore.

Does anyone have an update on Hong Kong Airlines? Their date to start seems to be approaching ominously quick with no official word yet on service starting, or tickets on sale.

Well, that didn't take long.... Emirates increasing YYZ to 5'x weekly effective August 18...

https://www.emirates.com/media-centr...ting-august-18

and Etihad effective October 28...

https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/about-u...ncy-to-canada/

:cheers:

Vessela Brakalova's mosaic of St. John's at YYT. I want a print of this - such a beautiful job, and all her choices are so lovely.

http://i67.tinypic.com/j93ec2.jpg

She also did YYT's main art piece, a deep sea scene of whales in a similar style. She's famous locally (defected from Bulgaria here 28 years ago).

^ That's gorgeous.

To be fair, Corsair service to YQM lasted what? a year or two? Can't really call something that barely got off the ground "the good old days".....

She forgot the airport ! :cheers:

Well, the increases were effective immediately, so it was bound to be announced by both carriers this week. Suprised EY is only increasing service as of October. Signs they aren't doing as good with YYZ as EK is.

Then again, EY isn't doing good. Period.

So at this rate EK should be able to go daily to YYZ with the next bilateral amendment, which should be in 2028. YVR should be able to get 2 or 3 weekly service by 2038 ! ;)

They will be the 3rd carrier on HKG-YYZ. With oil on the rise and fares across the Pacific at trash levels, maybe they are reconsidering their plan.

Hong Kong Airlines is part of HNA group, who's financials aren't in the best of shape.

Still, they get the 4 additional frequencies only on Oct 28, so they could announce something soon.

Speaking of high oil prices, a few days ago AC announced they might start cutting capacity for Q4 2018.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air...ings-1.4764325

According to EY, YYZ is one of their most profitable routes.

EY, like most private operators, considers all their routes "the most profitable in the system" right up till the route is cut. There is no downside to telling locals a more positive story , but there is a moderate amount of upside.

YYZ is a pretty profitable route for many carriers. They wouldn't fly there if it wasn't. :rolleyes:

Knowing the demographics of the GTA, I would say that EY are not lying when they say in their press release:

“We are thrilled to announce more flights to cosmopolitan Toronto, one of the most successful and popular destinations on our global route network,” said Robin Kamark, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer. “This news has been eagerly anticipated.”

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/tran...hts-to-toronto

Etihad have a few problems to deal with due to unwise investments they made in other airlines, but their core business of flying is strong. There are a few of the usual suspects on here who try to cast doubt on any positive news about YYZ, but the facts are clear: Pearson is Canada's largest airport and biggest international gateway, and there are reasons for this.

Because there's no ME3 or CN5 who keeps dumping seats and slashing prices ;)

Yes this is true, using the October start date as a sign of bad performance is a major reach and not based on anything. They didn't have to increase service at all, but still did. Toronto is in a league of its own in Canada bar none, the GTA is just so massive compared to everywhere else and its business centre, it really isn't comparable at all to the other cities. Most countries have a dominant city where things are concentrated, Canada is the same and there's no point competing on who's on top