OREANDA-NEWS. September 09, 2015. Air Transat today announced its European flights for 2016, which includes the launch of direct, weekly seasonal service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport (FCO). Beginning June 17, 2016, the new service will be Vancouver’s first non-stop service to Rome, Italy.

“Along with thousands of local Italophiles, we are delighted that Air Transat has added Rome to YVR’s summer destination list,” said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “This new service creates additional opportunities for tourism and trade and strengthens our growing air service relationship with Europe.”

Air Transat’s new service will generate almost \\$1 million in GrossDomestic Product, \\$400,000 in wages to the B.C. economy and an additional 60 jobs at YVR and B.C.’s hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Flights will operate as follows:

Vancouver - Rome 

Departs Friday at 13:40 (1:40 p.m.); Arrives Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Rome - Vancouver 

Departs Saturday at 11:45 a.m.; Arrives Saturday at 14:55 (2:55 p.m.)

An Airbus A330-200 will operate on the route, with capacity of 345 seats including 12 in Club Class (Business Class) and 333 seats in Economy Class.

Montreal-based Air Transat is a leading holiday carrier, serving more than three million passengers per year. In 2015, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline also operates flights to Amsterdam, Paris, Gatwick, Manchester, Cancun, Santa Clara, Puerto Vallarta and Calgary from YVR.