Air Canada ticket sales for March of this year nearly reached pre-pandemic levels, one of the surest signs yet that the travel rebound is real.
Canada’s largest airline released its first quarter results today. One of the key indicators is that ticket sales for March of 2022 were more than 90% of sales in March, 2019. Air Canada officials called that “a leading indicator to much stronger 2022 second and third
quarter results.”
For the quarter, Air Canada had operating revenues of $2.573 billion, more than triple that of the same quarter last year. The airline reported a first quarter 2022 operating loss of $550 million compared to an operating loss of $1.049 billion in the first quarter of 2021.
“The substantial year-over-year improvement in Air Canada’s first quarter results is clear evidence that a recovery is underway,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. “Our strong improvement is a testament to our employees, and I thank them for their hard work taking care of our customers throughout more than two years of a global pandemic.
“Now, our employees are demonstrating this same level of determination, commitment and passion in executing on our recovery strategy.
“Given pent-up travel demand, the demonstrated loyalty of our customers, and the expected further removal of travel-related government restrictions, Air Canada anticipates its recovery will gain momentum through the balance of 2022 and beyond,” Rousseau said.
Air Canada also is adjusting to new realities in the world.
“We are doing our part by contributing to the travel of Ukrainians to Canada, with a substantial donation of 100 million Aeroplan points,” he said.
In February 2022, Air Canada made the following announcements (adding to the schedule updates announced in the second half of 2021):
- An expansion of its North American network for Summer 2022 that includes the launch of new service on four transborder and three domestic routes, as well as the restoration of 41 North American routes. Air Canada plans to operate to 51 Canadian and 46 U.S airports this summer and offer customers the largest network and most travel options of any Canadian carrier.
- Expanded Summer 2022 international schedule, with 34 routes relaunching across the Atlantic and Pacific.
