Air Canada has renewed its partnership as the Official Airline of Team Canada. It also has unveiled a snazzy new plane with a distinctive Canadian Olympic theme.
"We're honoured to extend our partnership with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees as Team Canada's Official Airline through 2030, including for Paris 2024," Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, said at a media event at YYZ on 30MAY. "We're looking forward to proudly sharing the very best of Canada with the world as we cheer the nation's top athletes on to Olympic and Paralympic success."
Air Canada will #FlyTheFlag as the Official Airline of Team Canada for the next four Olympic and Paralympic Games. This includes the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to which the airline will transport more than 1,000 Team Canada athletes and delegation members.
With dozens of athletes looking on and a large group of media on hand, Canada's largest airline unveiled a Boeing 777 inside a massive hangar with a special Olympic livery and new black and gold trim. The plane will fly around the world and transport Team Canada Olympians, Paralympians, coaches, and support staff to and from the Summer Olympics in France.
Air Canada officials said the plane arrived in Toronto at 4 p.m. on 29MAY and crews spent 12 hours detailing it with the new livery.
"It’s a beautiful aircraft, and we’re so happy to be flying it both around the world over the course of the next few months but also to Paris, especially," Mark Nasr, EVP, marketing and digital and president of Aeroplan, told Open Jaw. "The gold on the rondelle is no mistake as we are going for gold.
"This is maybe the best complement Team Canada has ever put forward for the Summer Olympics, and in multiple sports, so we have a great chance.”
Air Canada pilot Zoey Williams attended the livery unveiling. She doesn't know if she'll get to fly the Special Olympics plane, but she loves the 777.
“It’s my favourite aircraft. It flies and handles really well. A lot of pilots say it flies like a much smaller plane.”
The airline will provide special service and transport for all Team Canada athletes travelling to the Games, including extending complimentary 35K Aeroplan Elite status through its Podium Program and holding airport celebrations.
"We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Air Canada," said David Shoemaker, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
"Air Canada continues to be a world-class partner, committed to working collaboratively with the Paralympic community to provide the best possible services for Paralympic athletes to travel to the Games," said Karen O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
