Air Canada plans to operate up to 100 all-cargo flights per week in the fourth quarter of 2020, using a combination of B787 and B777 aircraft as well as four reconfigured B777 and three Airbus A330 aircraft where it has doubled available cargo space by removing seats from the passenger cabin.
The carrier confirmed its cargo schedule after announcing an 86% decline in total group revenues during the third quarter of 2020 to C$757m, down from C$4.8bn in the same period 2019.
Air Canada reported an operating loss of $785m in the third quarter of 2020 compared to operating income of $956m in the third quarter of 2019.
Total revenue passengers carried declined 88% in the quarter compared to last year’s third quarter.
To meet the demand for the global transport of goods, including personal protective equipment during the pandemic, Air Canada has operated more than 3,000 all-cargo international flights since March 22, 2020.
Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, said: “Today’s results reflect COVID-19’s unprecedented impact on our industry globally and on Air Canada in what has historically been our most productive and profitable quarter.”
On the airline’s plans for the post-Covid recovery, Rovinescu said of the cargo division: “Our nimble Cargo team has pivoted to dedicated all-cargo flights during the pandemic and Cargo will become an increasingly important segment of our business going forward.
“Most importantly, our culture remains strong – we have employees who remain highly motivated and intensely focused on safely transporting our customers and I thank them for their commitment and hard work.”
