TUNIS, (TAP) - Tunisair is expecting to carry 54 thousand passengers on its new route Tunis-Montreal (Canada), which first flight will be operated on June 18, 2016, said Tunisair CEO Sarra Rajab.
In an interview with TAP, she added that two flights per week will be operated by the company, the first on Saturday and the second on Wednesday.
The company has started the promotion of this line that will target first the Tunisian community in Canada whose number has reached 21 thousand and in North America in general.
The official noted that the launch of this route, included in the company's objectives since 2008, aims to implement the national company's strategy to expand its network and access new markets to offset the losses it has suffered as a result of the crisis now faced by the tourism sector.
Rajab added that Tunisair aims to conquer new markets that will enable it to diversify and develop opportunities. "The company has been affected by the crisis faced by the tourism sector as a result of the terrorist acts committed in 2015 (Bardo Museum in March and El Kantaoui, Sousse in June), with the number of passengers falling 21.8% and revenues down 25% in 2015."
She added that the creation of this new air service was warmly welcomed by the Canadian authorities which will provide financial support to promote this line in Canada, while Canada's embassy will organise an action to promote this line, at the end of May, in association with Tunisair.
The company is negotiating with some Canadian carriers and in particular Air Canada to operate joint flights from Tunisia to North America (Washington and New York), she noted.
The CEO of Tunisair considered that this co-operation will be beneficial for both sides as it will allow the airline to partner with Tunisair and operate joint flights to the majority of European cities and not only capitals, besides flights to African countries, as Tunisair has direct flights to 8 African countries, a number that will rise to 18 by 2020.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2016
