Air Canada Partners with Cadence Consortium to Develop High-Speed Rail in Eastern Canada

Air Canada has announced its partnership with the Cadence consortium, which is currently bidding to construct and manage a High Frequency Rail (HFR) network that will connect major cities in eastern Canada. This strategic move aligns with Air Canada’s commitment to enhancing mobility and connectivity for its passengers, integrating air travel with other transportation modes like rail and bus.

In a statement, Air Canada emphasized its dedication to developing transportation solutions that meet the diverse needs of its customers sustainably. The airline highlighted the potential of the HFR project to seamlessly integrate future intercity rail networks with existing airport hubs, particularly in the Quebec-Windsor corridor, where Air Canada operates major hubs at Toronto Pearson and Montréal Trudeau airports.

The Cadence consortium, initially formed by CDPQ Infra, SYSTRA Canada, AtkinsRéalis Canada, and Keolis Canada, has recently expanded to include Air Canada and SNCF Voyageurs, a renowned French state-owned high-speed rail operator. This consortium is one of three groups prequalified by the Canadian government to submit proposals for the project. The consortium’s proposal was submitted in response to the government’s request for proposals in late July.

The HFR network aims to enhance the connectivity between Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Quebec City, promising a significant boost to economic and social activities in these regions. The project’s next steps include a co-development phase with the selected private developer partner, anticipated to begin between late 2024 and early 2025.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step for Air Canada as it explores innovative ways to integrate air travel with other key transportation infrastructures, thereby enriching the travel experience for passengers across Canada.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com