WestJet, Air Canada announce plans to restart Boeing Max flights
Canada’s big two carriers have outlined when they plan to return the Boeing 737 Max to service.
WestJet will be first to fly the jet on 21 January 2021, followed by Air Canada from 1 February.
"Our first Max will be ready to return safely to service as of 21 January," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO.
"While we don’t have final confirmation on when Transport Canada will open Canadian airspace to the 737 Max aircraft, in the interest of transparency we are sharing our intent to fly once this confirmation is received."
"We are confident with the changes they have mandated," Sims added.
WestJet said it will start test flights soon and phase in commercial flights when authorized to do so from Transport Canada.
To start, it will fly the Max three times a week between Calgary and Toronto.
In December Transport Canada authorized the aircraft design changes and outlined airline requirements to return the plane to service, and final approval is still pending.
The aircraft has been grounded since early 2019 after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
An Air Canada spokesperson said it has tentatively earmarked 1 February to restart Max flights.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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