Qantas Airways’
(ASX:QAN) budget airline Jetstar has signed an agreement with Air Canada that will allow passengers to fly from Australia via Honolulu to Canada and beyond, on a single ticket.
Jetstar says the agreement will financially benefit the carrier and provides new access opportunities for inbound visitation to Australia, New Zealand and beyond from Canada.
Air Canada, which operates a direct service between Vancouver and Sydney, says the interline agreement will give passengers the chance to make a side trip to Honolulu.
The deal comes as Qantas reveals demand for leisure travel remains strong despite increased borrowing costs.
CEO Alan Joyce says the airline’s business traffic is also increasing as confidence returns to the business sector amid the rapid recovery of the economy.
The airline is increasing capacity as domestic economic growth and gains in the Australian dollar spur business travel demand.
Qantas Airways reported a profit of $117 million for the 2009 financial year.
