Metis gets its jets

Metis Transpacific, which has been the center of intense speculation recently over its upcoming December 14 launch, has signed a deal with Canadian carrier Zoom Airlines to operate the Macau-Vancouver route.

According to the agreement, Metis will “wet lease” two Boeing 767-300 jets from Zoom, which means it will charter the entire aircraft, including crew, for the transpacific flight. Ticketing and all other passenger services will be handled by Metis (www.metismacau.com).

One of Canada’s four main airlines, Zoom (www.flyzoom.com) operates flights between Canada, the US and Europe. It was launched in 2002, and is focused on providing low-fare flights to both short-haul and long-haul destinations. The deal with Metis will be its first foray into the Asian market.

Metis does not yet hold an Air Operator’s Certificate, which means it cannot operate regularly scheduled flights. However, the company has previously been granted permission by the Macau Aeronautics Authority (AACM) to operate charter flights between Macau and Vancouver. That was supposed to take place in August and September of this year, but Metis was unable to use the rights because it could not secure jets from an established carrier in time.

The AACM has confirmed to Destination Macau that it is aware of Metis’s intentions, but a spokesperson said that it has not yet received a formal application from Metis to fly on December 14. According to Colbourne, Metis will submit the application with enough time to make the December 14 takeoff date. “No one will be stranded; that I can promise,” he said.