I'll start by saying thank you for your patronage. I'm sure you all fly Air Canada very often, and I hope you continue to do so.
Hello, Mr. Chair and honourable members of the committee.
My name is Fittipauld Lourenco and I am the Director of Federal Government Affairs and Ontario at Air Canada. I am here to talk about the potential Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement.
First I'd like to tell you a little about Air Canada and where we are.
In 2017, Air Canada transported just over 48 million customers, averaging nearly 132,000 passengers a day. We now offer direct services to over 200 destinations on six continents. Last year alone we launched over 30 new routes, and our team today is 30,000 people strong with 3,000 individuals hired in the last three years alone.
With a strong team, and $9 billion invested in a new fleet that will be the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the world once complete, and which includes new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 737 MAX planes, and Bombardier C Series planes, Air Canada is well positioned to continue growing and strengthening Canada's position relative to business travel, tourism, and trade, well into the future.
With respect to the potential Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement, Air Canada supports such free trade agreements that allow for greater trade and, therefore, increased business travel and cargo opportunities between Canada and another country.
Air Canada has a strong presence in South America and in two of Mercosur's partner countries, namely Brazil and Argentina, as well as in many associate partners in the region. On the continent at large, we currently offer direct routes for passengers and cargo to Cartagena and Bogota in Colombia; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paolo, Brazil; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. While passenger volumes to Uruguay and Paraguay do not yet support direct routes, we continue to look at these as options for the future. It is also important to note that Argentina and Chile will have direct services beginning the first week of May 2018. This comes as a result of dedicating one aircraft to each city, creating two new direct routes.
Free trade agreements such as the one being considered by this committee foster the type of business growth and trade opportunities that support business and provide an excellent foundation for expanding air routes. This creates the right climate for sustainable air travel in the future. Ultimately this means better travel and business opportunities for Canadians abroad.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to any questions.