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Harbour Air continues quest for eplane certification
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In its quest to get the first fully electric plane certified for commercial use in Canada, Vancouver-based Harbour Air is closing in on 30 test flights performed to evaluate take-off, climb, cruise, range and endurance performance of its e-plane. Harbour Air has submitted some of the project’s preliminary documentation to Transport Canada and is working on an agreement with department officials on the best way to obtain certification of the aircraft’s electric conversion. Along with strategic partners Washington-based Magnix and Swiss-based H55, Harbour Air has completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and made the decision to move forward with a magni350 EPU (electric propulsion unit) for the certifica-
Harbour Air’s first test flight of its eBeaver electric prototype took place on Dec. 10, 2019. Photo: courtesy Harbour Air.
tion version of the aircraft. Harbour Air’s eplane test team, pilot Greg McDougall, who is also the founder and CEO of the Harbour Air Group, and flight crew member Eric Barry, performed test flights at various power
settings to simulate different magniX motors in order to accurately size the motor for the certification design. Harbour Air is also reviewing the propeller design to determine if any further efficiencies or perfor-
Air Transat named World’s Best Leisure Airline, once again
mance improvements can be made, although, according to McDougall, “we are extremely satisfied with the current performance.” The City of Vancouver recently won the bid to host an all-electric street racing
series, the Formula E World Championship event on July 2nd, 2022, and Harbour Air hopes to have its ePlane ready to be showcased at that time. For more information about Harbour Air Seaplanes, visit harbourair.com.
Air Canada resumes service between Canada and India
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staff service and seat comfort, cleanliness and in-flight entertainment. This year’s survey polled more than 21-million passengers worldwide. “Receiving this award once more is particularly significant this year, as the travel industry is just beginning to pick up under completely new circumstances," said Annick Guérard, president and chief executive officer at Transat. “Knowing that the Air Transat experience still holds a place in the hearts of travellers fills me
with pride and ambition for the future. But above all, this award solidifies the professionalism and dedication of our employees who make our star shine every day and whom I thank warmly.” Air Transat will be serving Canada, the United States, Europe and the South in the coming months, with a new-generation fleet made up of the greenest aircraft in their category, the Airbus A321neoLR (long range). To learn more about Air Transat’s flights from YVR, visit airtransat.com.
Following the lifting of the Government of Canada’s restrictions on non-stop flights from India, Air Canada has resumed its flights to and from Delhi, with service from its Vancouver and Toronto hubs. Since Air Canada’s service between the two countries began in 2015, the airline has operated non-stop flights from Vancouver and Toronto to Delhi, and from Toronto to Mumbai. The airline plans to resume its Mumbai service when market conditions allow. “We continue to be
focused on the growing, visiting-friends-and-relatives market and together with the long-standing cultural and business ties between Canada and India, which are expected to grow over the coming years, Air Canada remains strongly committed to this important Asia-Pacific market.” Travellers are reminded to ensure review of government entry requirements for any flights they purchase, as requirements may change with little notice. For Air Canada’s full schedule details, please visit aircanada.com.
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Air Transat has taken the title of World’s Best Leisure Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the fourth time, having held this ranking since 2018. The World Airline Awards were created in 1999 when Skytrax launched its first global airline passenger satisfaction survey. The survey collects travellers’ opinions on 300 airlines over a 9-month period and in 100 countries. Airlines are ranked according to approximately 40 criteria—from check-in and boarding to
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