Air Canada adjusts Aug. schedule; 737 MAX 8s remain grounded

Following Transport Canada's continued closure of Canadian airspace to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, Air Canada has further adjusted its schedule through August 1. 

READ MORE: Air Canada adjusts May & June schedules as 737 MAX remain grounded

"Since the Boeing 737 MAX fleet was grounded on March 13, Air Canada has successfully protected 96 per cent of planned flying through strategic commercial adjustments. This includes optimizing the current fleet, consolidating flights on larger aircraft and extending leases on aircraft planned to exit the fleet," commented Guillemette, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. By leveraging our deep, global network and through arrangements with Star Alliance partner Lufthansa and other airlines to provide capacity, we now have secured sufficient additional capacity to meet our customers' travel needs this summer."

No final decisions yet

Boeing has advised that deliveries of its 737 MAX are currently suspended. Air Canada was expecting to receive another 12 aircraft for a total fleet of 36 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in July.

As the timeline for the return to service of the 737 MAX is unknown, for planning purposes and to provide customers certainty for booking and travel, Air Canada has now removed 737 MAX flying from its schedule until at least August 1, 2019. 

Final decisions on returning the 737 MAX to service will be based on Air Canada's safety assessment following the lifting of government safety notices and approval by international regulatory authorities.

A full summary of schedule adjustments is posted on aircanada.com.

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