Air Canada today announced another new route to serve the Ottawa-Gatineau community.

On June 1, 2008, Air Canada will introduce the only daily non-stop flights between Ottawa and Frankfurt, Lufthansa’s main hub and Star Alliance’s major European hub for connecting flights to points throughout its comprehensive international network. Connections in Frankfurt are simple and fast through special in-transit facilities that enable passengers to proceed directly to their flight without the need to collect baggage.

Air Canada will operate the new year-round service using 211-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft featuring the carrier’s new Executive First Suites with lie flat beds, as well as personal seat back entertainment for all passengers throughout the aircraft. In Ottawa, eligible customers will enjoy Air Canada’s new Maple Leaf Lounge to work or relax before the flight. Flights depart Ottawa at 7:35 p.m., arriving in Frankfurt at 8:55 a.m. the following day. Flights depart Frankfurt at 2:15 p.m., arriving in Ottawa at 4:45 p.m.

“Air Canada’s new Ottawa-Frankfurt service is excellent news for the National Capital Region as growth in demand for international passenger services from Ottawa continues to be very strong,” said Paul Benoit, Ottawa International Airport Authority President and CEO. “Having a non-stop connection to Frankfurt has been a top priority not only for the Airport Authority, but for our community as well. Ottawa travellers have expressed a need for another European destination. Frankfurt is one of the most important connection hubs in the world with more than 250 destinations including points in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Here at home, our local tourism industry will thrive from improved access to and from the National Capital Region. Ottawa-Frankfurt is the perfect fit”.

“I am very pleased to announce that Air Canada will launch year-round non-stop Ottawa-Frankfurt service, facilitating international travel and commerce direct through Ottawa International Airport,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President - Commercial. “Frankfurt, as our main Star Alliance hub in Europe, provides customers with simple and fast connections world wide. Our Ottawa customers will enjoy the unparalleled comfort and style of Air Canada’s brand new cabin interiors and seating featuring Executive First Suites with
180-degree lie-flat beds, and personal seat back entertainment for all customers. This new transatlantic route follows recently expanded Air Canada services from Ottawa including six new routes and 3,500 additional seats serving the nation’s capital this winter season.”

Business and tourism leaders from the region applauded today’s announcement. Their support and the support of the community at large will be key to the success of the Ottawa-Frankfurt service.

OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under a 60-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The OMCIAA’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region. Its state-of-the-art passenger terminal building opened for business on October 12, 2003, and is being expanded to accommodate growth in passenger volumes.

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