Aeroplan to launch its own charter flights once partnership with Air Canada ends

After Air Canada announced its intention to cut ties with Aeroplan and launch its own loyalty program, Aeroplan now says it has big plans of its own, once the partnership ends in 2020.

Among these new developments?

Charter flights on “key routes” exclusively for Aeroplan members.

That announcement was made by Jeremy Rabe, CEO of Aeroplan’s parent company, Aimia Inc, during a recent online interview.

Rabe made the comment after being asked how the travel rewards company would be able to deliver continued value to its network of five million members, while at the same time remaining profitable.

“Aeroplan has a bunch of unique assets that will allow us to purchase airline capacity differently than anyone else is doing in the market today,” he said.

Those assets, he furthered, included things like member numbers, an extensive collection of traveller data, and some “good marketing” channels.

“These assets will allow us to buy airline sets differently than others,” he furthered.

“We’ll be able to pre-purchase seats, do bulk purchasing arrangements, and on some key routes we’ll even have charter flights, where the whole plane will be available for Aeroplan redemptions.”

Air Canada decision “right one”

In a statement, Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu said the airline’s decision to cut ties with Aeroplan is the right one.

“Our more than 45 million customers sits at the core of Air Canada’s ongoing transformation as we continue to grow our business,” he said.

The airline will continue to offer redemption seats post-2020, and over the next three years Aeroplan members can continue to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles.