MONTREAL — Air Canada’s new summer service from Montreal to Lisbon is now underway, part of the carrier’s strategy to grow Montreal as a key hub in its expanding global network.

The three-times weekly Air Canada Rouge seasonal Lisbon service runs through Oct. 27.

Flights are operated with B767-300ER aircraft with Premium Rouge and Economy Class service and are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada’s network through Air Canada’s hub in Montreal.

Flight AC1960 departs Montreal at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Lisbon at 8:10 a.m. the next day. On the return leg flight AC1961 flies out of Lisbon at 9:45 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, returning to Montreal at 12:10 p.m.

“With first flight celebrations to Tokyo, Bucharest and Dublin over the past two weeks and today’s first departure to Lisbon, Portugal, Air Canada further solidifies its position as a leading global carrier,” says Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.

Building on Air Canada’s current success in the Portuguese market, the new Montreal-Lisbon route solidifies the airline’s presence in the summer leisure market from Montreal, he adds.

“Additionally, enhancements to our year-round services to Casablanca and Lima demonstrate Air Canada’s ongoing commitment to grow Montreal as an important hub in our global network. Together, these new and enhanced services will provide customers greater comfort and choice, as well as the ability to conveniently connect onward through our extensive North American and International network.”

In 2018 Air Canada is launching 10 new destinations from Montreal: London, Windsor, Victoria (Canada); Tokyo-Narita, (Japan); Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Baltimore (U.S.); Dublin (Ireland); Lisbon (Portugal) and Bucharest (Romania).