Airlines

A Look Back at the History of Air Canada Rouge: From Inception to Controversy





The history of Air Canada Rouge dates back to 2012, when Air Canada announced its plans to launch a low-cost airline subsidiary. On July 1, 2013, Air Canada Rouge officially launched, with its inaugural flight from Toronto to Kingston, Jamaica.

Air Canada Rouge has a fleet of over 50 aircraft, including Boeing 767-300ERs, Airbus A319s, and Bombardier Q400s. The airline is primarily used for leisure travel, and its routes include destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and North America.

Since its launch, Air Canada Rouge has seen significant growth, with plans to expand its fleet and route network. In 2014, the airline announced its intention to add 10 Airbus A321s to its fleet, and in 2015, the airline announced plans to add two new routes to its network, from Toronto to Athens and Rome.

In 2017, Air Canada Rouge launched a new loyalty program, Air Canada Rouge Plus. This program offers passengers extra points and rewards for flying with the airline, such as discounts on flights, exclusive offers, and priority boarding.





Air Canada Rouge has also seen its share of controversies. In 2018, the airline was involved in a federal investigation into price fixing, which resulted in the airline being fined $12.7 million. The investigation found that the airline had colluded with other airlines to set prices for certain international flights.

In 2020, Air Canada Rouge was involved in another incident when one of its flights from Toronto to Kingston, Jamaica, had to make an emergency landing due to a technical issue. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the aircraft landed safely.

Throughout its history, Air Canada Rouge has continued to evolve and expand, offering more routes and services to its customers. The airline has also made strides in improving its customer service, with a focus on providing a great travel experience for its passengers.

As Air Canada Rouge continues to grow and evolve, the airline is sure to reach new milestones and heights in the years to come.