Today, Air Transat and Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) celebrated new seasonal service between Vancouver and Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport (FCO). The flight will depart YVR weekly between June 17 and October 7 and is the first non-stop service from Vancouver to Italy.
“Thanks to Air Transat, YVR has a direct link to one of the world’s most renowned and ancient connecting hubs—Rome,” said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “This service opens up exciting new opportunities to explore an amazing country, known for its rich culture and stunning attractions.”
The new service will use an Airbus A330-200 with a capacity of 345 seats, including 12 in Club Class (Business Class). It will contribute almost $1 million to B.C.’s Gross Domestic Product and will add 60 jobs to the local economy.
“The addition of this direct flight between Vancouver and Rome, a very popular destination with vacationers, is an important step in enhancing our transatlantic flight program for travellers from Western Canada,” says Annick Guérard, President and General Manager of Transat Tours Canada. “By offering 12 European destinations from Vancouver this summer – six of which are available via direct flight – Transat strengthens its position as a holiday travel specialist and meets, more than ever, the needs of travellers in search of new discoveries.”
Montreal-based Air Transat is a leading holiday carrier and a key contributor to YVR’s growth. In 2015, Air Transat ranked tenth for the number of passengers it brought through YVR. And in 2015, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards.