Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton joined nearly a dozen other Mayors, city and tribal leaders from Arizona to celebrate the launch of new air service to Montreal, Quebec, Canada today.
Air Canada Rouge will operate the new route between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport from Feb. 22 to May 28, three times per week. The flight will be served by an Airbus A319 aircraft. This new service to Canada will provide a vital link for visitors and the international business community.
As a bonus, Air Canada made a surprise announcement that it has already renewed and increased this service: This flight will resume on Sept. 6 and will continue through May 2019 on the same schedule and served by an Airbus A319.
Canada is a major Arizona trading partner with exports to Canada valued at more than $2.2. billion per year. Last year, Arizona registered a $755 million trade surplus with Canada, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which tracks the value of imports and exports for U.S. states and metro areas. Many Canadian companies say they like sites in Arizona, because of the proximity to West Coast U.S. markets and major Mexican markets. According to City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development, there are more than 460 Canadian-owned companies in Arizona.
The economic importance of this new route was made clear by leaders from around Arizona who gathered for the inaugural service.
In addition to Mayor Stanton of Phoenix, Mayors from Maricopa, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg, and Tucson, as well as the Vice Mayors of Flagstaff and Mesa, and Presidents of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community attended the launch of service.
Mayor Stanton is Chair of the Maricopa Association of Government's (MAG) Economic Development Committee, and today's event was held in partnership with MAG.
The new service to Montreal brings the total number of cities served by nonstop flights from Phoenix to Canada to 10. The newest connection to Montreal also provides additional access to Air Canada's global network. For more information on this new route as well as other new international service offered at America's Friendliest Airport®, please visit skyharbor.com/flyphx.
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Quotes from Phoenix Mayor, City Council, and Air Canada
"This newest route offers nonstop service to a major international hub and Phoenix's second largest trading partner. We continue to push Phoenix to be more globally connected, and this direct line to Montreal is good for export-focused businesses and tourists alike."
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton
"I am pleased to see new nonstop service to Montreal at Sky Harbor International Airport. We love our friends to the North, and this service will provide a boost to our local economy not only through Canadian residents visiting, but also by bringing Canadian businesses to our area."
Laura Pastor
Phoenix Vice Mayor Laura Pastor
"We've worked very hard to add international air service because it is a great benefit to our economy, generating room rentals, restaurant spending, car rentals and much more. International air service to Montreal on Air Canada will provide our business and leisure travelers a convenient and direct route."
Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams, District 1
Member of the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee
"Air Canada's announcement to add a direct flight between Phoenix and Montreal is another excellent example of the powerful economic tool that is Sky Harbor International Airport. Through direct international flights, we are able to develop connections between the international business community and our local system of businesses and entrepreneurs. It is no wonder why Phoenix is consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the U.S for startups, tech jobs, and financial industry growth."
Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, District 5
Chairman of the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee
"It is great to see new service continually being added at Sky Harbor. Not only are we offering our residents an easy getaway during the hot summer months, but we are also showcasing Phoenix to more areas of Canada."
Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski, District 7
Member of the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee
"Phoenix Sky Harbor is committed to offering the best international air service. With Air Canada's new flight to Montreal, we are better positioned to grow business and tourism with our friends in Montreal and throughout Canada."
Phoenix City Councilwoman Kate Gallego, District 8
Represents the district where Sky Harbor is located
"Air Canada is delighted to launch this new non-stop service between Phoenix and Montreal. We are offering up to five flights a day to Phoenix this winter from four Canadian cities. Many Canadians seek out the hospitality and warmth of Phoenix or travel for business reasons. This service also provides residents of Phoenix and surrounding communities convenient one-stop connections via our Montreal hub to destinations throughout Canada, Europe and elsewhere in Air Canada's global network."
Kevin Howlett, Senior Vice President, Regional Markets and Government Relations, Air Canada
