Canadian Air Wars Heat Up

Air Canada is beefing up its winter schedule in Western Canada as Alberta's roaring oil patch continues to drive demand for air travel and the airline's new Boeing 777 aircraft make it possible to add more non-stop international flights.

The country's largest airline said yesterday it plans to offer daily, non-stop flights this winter between Edmonton and London's Heathrow airport, expanding on three flights a week offered since the route's launch in December.

As well, Air Canada announced new winter routes from Vancouver to destinations in Mexico and daily flights between Vancouver and Yellowknife, a hotspot for Japanese tourists during the winter when the northern lights are visible.