Airlines

Discovering the History of Air Canada Express: A Look at One of North America's Largest Regional Airlines





Air Canada Express is the regional airline brand name for Air Canada’s network of commuter and regional flights. Since its inception in 2002, Air Canada Express has become one of the largest regional airlines in North America, with a fleet of more than 150 aircraft and over 400 daily flights to over 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. Air Canada Express also provides service to Air Canada’s main hub airports in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The history of Air Canada Express began in 2002 when Air Canada formed a partnership with Jazz Air, its regional carrier at the time, to launch Air Canada Express. The first aircraft used by Air Canada Express was a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops that were used to provide regional service to smaller cities in Canada. The airline quickly expanded its reach and soon began offering flights to larger cities in Canada and the United States.

Over the years, Air Canada Express has continued to expand its network and fleet. In 2005, the airline added its first Embraer E-Jet aircraft to its fleet, allowing for longer-range flights. In 2008, Air Canada Express began operating its first Airbus A319 aircraft, and in 2009, the airline began operating its first Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Today, Air Canada Express operates a fleet of over 150 aircraft, including Bombardier Dash 8s, Embraer E-Jets, Airbus A319s, and Bombardier Q400s.

Air Canada Express has also seen its share of controversy over the years. In 2003, one of its Dash 8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland, killing all 17 people on board. The crash resulted in a federal investigation that concluded that the accident was caused by a malfunctioning engine. In 2011, Air Canada Express was the subject of an investigation by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board for failing to properly report and investigate incidents involving its aircraft.





Despite these incidents, Air Canada Express has continued to grow and evolve over the past two decades. Some of the most important milestones in the airline’s history include:

1. The launch of Air Canada Express in 2002.

2. The addition of Embraer E-Jet aircraft to the fleet in 2005.

3. The addition of Airbus A319 aircraft to the fleet in 2008.





4. The addition of Bombardier Q400 aircraft to the fleet in 2009.

5. The launch of the Air Canada Express loyalty program in 2014.

Air Canada Express has come a long way since its launch in 2002. Today, it is one of the largest regional airlines in North America, offering service to over 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. The airline has also seen its share of controversy, but it has persevered and continues to strive to provide safe and reliable air transport for its passengers.