Air Canada (AC) said it’s poised to recover most of its pre-pandemic capacity this year, issuing a bright outlook for travel as the federal government eases pandemic restrictions.
The carrier said it expects to recover 75% of the total seats offered in 2019, a 150% increase compared to 2021, according to a written statement.
To prepare for the expected rise in travel demand this year, the Montreal-based carrier has reinstated all of its Airbus SE A220 orders that were canceled in November 2020 and said it plans to buy 26 Airbus A321neo extra-long-range aircraft.
Air Canada also said it expects the cost per available seat mile to rise as much as 15% in 2022 compared with 2019.
Canada, which enforced one of the toughest pandemic travel restrictions globally, has been opening up the country, including lifting an official advisory against leisure travel. Starting on April 1, vaccinated travelers will no longer require a pre-entry COVID test.
Year to date, Air Canada’s stock is up 10% at $24.33 per share.
