Harper Government and Vancouver Airport Authority Announce New Passenger Air Service to Vancouver

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that China's Sichuan Airlines will begin a new passenger service between China and Vancouver, beginning in June.

"The new service being offered by Sichuan Airlines will boost tourism, provide more choice for Canadian travellers and have a significant impact on our economy," said Minister Moore. "We welcome Sichuan Airlines to Vancouver and look forward to further building our ties with China."

The new passenger service is made possible by the Canada-China Air Transport Agreement. Sichuan Airlines is headquartered at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan province. The passenger service will start on June 22, 2012, and will be offered three times a week. The service will operate between Chengdu and Vancouver, making a stopover in the North Eastern Chinese city of Shenyang.

Located strategically between Western and Eastern China, Chengdu is one of the most important commercial centres in Western China, home to 14 million people. Chengdu as a manufacturing centre has a market reach of over 200 million consumers. Pillar industries include automotive and aerospace manufacturing, biotech, pharmaceuticals, food processing, metallurgy and building materials, information and communication technology, and petrochemical processing.

Sichuan Airlines recognizes Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway as a vital portal between Canada and China. This new service reflects the priorities of the partners in the Asia-Pacific Gateway that are aimed at making it the best transportation network between North America and Asia. To date, the Government of Canada has partnered with all four Western provinces, as well as with municipalities and the private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth over $3.5 billion, including federal contributions of over $1.4 billion.