AC: Goodbye JAZZ

and HELLO...Air Canada Express!

MONTREAL — A rebranded Air Canada regional service is set to take flight Sunday with the launch of Air Canada Express flights between Montreal and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Originally Air Canada Express flights will be operated by Sky Regional, which will provide contracted service between the country's two largest cities with five slightly used Q400 turboprop aircraft.

But the Air Canada Express brand will gradually be applied to the fleet of Jazz planes operated by Chorus Aviation (TSX:CHR.B), a former Air Canada subsidiary that was spun off several years ago and recently renamed.

Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) said Jazz's 120 planes will get new colours as they come in for maintenance, as will the 15 new Bombardier Q400's on order.

The change will eliminate the Jazz brand, which itself was created a decade ago to unify service offered by regional airlines such as Air Ontario, Air BC, Air Nova and Canadian Regional Airlines.

Air Canada, the country's largest airline, currently has contracts with several other carriers providing regional service.

Air Georgian in Ontario, Exploits Valley Air Services in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Central Mountain Air in Alberta and British Columbia will all gradually be branded Air Canada Express....

Regional flights on Air Canada Express start Sunday - CTV News

Keep on traveling!

AC rechnet sich Chancen aus gegen Porter.

Ben Smith is casting Air Canada (AC.B-T2.260.010.44%) in the unusual role of underdog as the carrier returns on Sunday to a crucial battleground.

Mr. Smith, Air Canada’s chief commercial officer, believes his company will measure up well against Porter Airlines Inc. on flights between Toronto’s island air terminal and Montreal’s Trudeau Airport.

Porter is the dominant carrier at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, placing Air Canada in the rare position of challenging a rival for supremacy on a busy domestic route.

Air Canada has replicated Porter’s formula, enlisting Bombardier Q400 turboprops installed with 70 leather seats. The new service will mirror Porter in everything from complimentary lounge access to free in-flight booze.

The matchup has been a long time coming. In early 2006, a terminal company controlled by Porter chief executive officer Robert Deluce ousted Air Canada’s regional affiliate, Jazz Air LP, from the island airport...

Air Canada poised for takeoff at Toronto island - The Globe and Mail