VANCOUVER — Air Canada’s newest international route between Vancouver and Manila is now up and running.

The launch of service to Manila positions Air Canada as the North American airline serving the most destinations nonstop in Southeast Asia.

Air Canada commemorated the new service with celebrations at its YVR Pacific hub.

“We are proud to be the only Canadian carrier flying to the Philippines, building on the longstanding ties between our countries to make visiting family and friends, conducting business, or heading on vacation more convenient than ever. With more than one million Filipinos living in Canada representing an important market, direct air services are a catalyst to facilitating tourism, trade and connectivity, and represent the fastest way of travelling to Manila,” said Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, & President, Cargo.

AC017 departs Vancouver at 1:55 a.m., arriving in Manila at 6:20 a.m. For the month of April YVR-MNL flights will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday. From May 1 onwards, YVR-MNL flights will operate Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

On the return leg, AC018 departs Manila at 9:25 a.m., arriving in Vancouver at 6:20 a.m. For the month of April MNL-YVR flights will operate Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. From May 2 onwards, MNL-YVR flights will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday.

Manila is Air Canada’s 12th destination in Asia-Pacific. Air Canada now connects to 25 Canadian destinations at its YVR Pacific hub.