Montreal - Air Canada plans to double its capacity this year compared to 2021, but says it is still below pre-pandemic levels.

In its outlook for this year, the airline says its capacity, measured in available seat miles, for 2022 will increase by about 150 percent compared to last year.

However, Air Canada says its capacity will remain only about 75 percent of what it was in 2019, still taking into account increased travel demand rates, the application of public health guidelines, and travel restrictions.

The airline says it expects the adjusted cost per available seat mile for 2022 to increase by about 13 to 15 percent compared to 2019.

Looking ahead, Air Canada says it expects its capacity for 2024 to reach about 95 percent of its level in 2019.

Meanwhile, Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, says that with the pandemic receding and travel returning, the airline has set a strategy to return to profitability and increase shareholder value in the long term.