Air Canada is planning to strengthen its network by launching non-stop flights between Vancouver and Brisbane, Australia.

Flights to Brisbane will initially operate three times a week using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from June 17, 2016. The carrier plans to increase this to a daily service once it obtains the necessary government approvals.

“Air Canada continues to strategically expand its international network with the addition of our second Australian destination – Brisbane, capital of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia,” said the airline’s president and CEO, Calin Rovinescu. “The new route increases our presence in the Asia-Pacific market at a time when trade and travel in the region and between North America is growing, with a further boost expected from the Trans-Pacific Partnership now under negotiation.

Tickets for Air Canada’s new Brisbane flights will be available for purchase from July 16, 2015.

Air Canada’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft feature 20 International Business Class flat-bed seat suites, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 210 seats in Economy Class.

“The Air Canada service represents the first direct flight between Queensland and Canada, and is expected to inject up to $24 million in visitor expenditure for Queensland economy per year and attract an extra 12,000 international visitors to Queensland each year,” commented Queensland government minister for tourism and major events, Kate Jones. www.aircanada.com