Melbourne Airport Eyes The Return Of Air Canada

Melbourne Airport is exploring a return to Vancouver service with Air Canada.

Air Canada currently serves two Australian cities, Sydney and Brisbane. Its primary airport is Australia’s busiest, Sydney.

Since 2020, its presence further south at Melbourne Airport has disappeared. This followed a February 2020 review that paused the direct Melbourne-to-Vancouver flight.

Air Canada noted that it would have resumed in November 2020. Unfortunately, one thing led to another, and the global pandemic rendered those plans moot.

Now, as markets recover, one city the Canadian carrier has yet to return to is Melbourne. Yet the airline has deemed it necessary.

Previously, its four-times-weekly services operated as a seasonal service. In response to demand, the airline committed to year-round operations before it paused services at the airport.

As the end of 2022 approaches, the airline has yet to return to the city.

Connection Difficulties For Melbourneians

For travellers heading to the country, connections through Sydney or Brisbane are required.

In addition, U.S.-based airlines offer options to fly through the United States, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Unfortunately, all these options share a common factor that deters travellers. That is, it causes greater inconvenience, including long connection times, bag rechecking, and terminal changes.

Vancouver offers better connectivity and links onward to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and other cities. It’s a much more flattering journey than Melbournians currently struggle to enjoy.

Air Canada’s Return To Melbourne?

On the sidelines of the 151st IATA Slot Conference, Melbourne Airport representatives, who directly manage airline accounts, held discussions. Much of the discussion centred around Air Canada.

Executives were keen and understood the importance of having an airline serving the city, and noted that passengers and the airport could benefit from restarting the route.

Melbourne will be Australia’s busiest city by 2030. As part of that goal, Melbourne Airport aims to become a leading choice for international and domestic flights.

Air Canada is a valuable airline with a missing Melbourne connection. If Melbourne wants to assert its authority, its top goal is to become a better alternative to Sydney for international airlines.

In early 2023, a routine review will take place for all current airline accounts. Discussions will progress on further resumptions and potential new ones.

There is consensus that the Melbourne Airport team will focus on the Air Canada account and push for a return in 2023.

A return would mark Melbourne as the third city the airline serves directly from Vancouver.

Travellers who fly to Canada have expressed on forums that the airline’s decision to scale back services to Sydney in favour of even 2x weekly flights to Melbourne would have positive repercussions.

Developments between the pair will be followed closely. Melbourne Airport seems incredibly interested in welcoming back the Canadian airline.

The next step will be to review the 2023 account and develop a schedule that benefits all parties.