Big Air Canada Updates

Air Canada has taken the last week to announce a couple of big updates to its network and relationships with airlines.

Firstly, at the Dubai Airshow 2025, Air Canada confirmed it would expand its agreement with Emirates over the next several years.

An extension of the strategic partnership is what the two airlines call a logical next step to build upon what has already been a highly successful last three years between two major companies serving markets around the world.

Since Air Canada and Emirates came together, more than 550,000 passengers have benefited from 56 codeshare routes linking destinations across not just Canada but also the United States and Dubai, and right around the world.

As part of the signing of a memorandum of understanding, there’s room to extend the reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership by a staggering period through December 31, 2032.

By giving businesses more time, there’s hope that passengers will be the greatest beneficiaries, with enhanced opportunities not just for customers jumping aboard these airlines but also for shippers, with the chance for more agencies to be included.

Air Canada’s partnership with Emirates has been highly successful, and we are proud to renew it early, expanding its scope and extending its duration through 2032. This agreement strengthens our international strategy by supporting our daily, year-round service between Toronto and Dubai and providing customers and shippers seamless connections to destinations across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Renewing this partnership is great news, not  just for our customers – many of whom have family, cultural or business ties to these regions – but also for Canada, as it enhances our ability to connect the country to the world amid evolving trade and travel patterns.

Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and President, Cargo at Air Canada. 

Additionally, this agreement between the two countries has focused on strengthening tourism and trade by facilitating greater cargo cooperation and ensuring bilateral cargo flows.

The agreement will also benefit eligible passengers for operational codesharing moving forward, especially as Emirates moves its operations to Dubai World Central over the next decade, a move it hopes to make as seamless as possible.

Emirates confirms that since its inception, the codeshare partnership has added 56 routes to 37 destinations across many markets, whether for those bound for the Middle East from Canadian cities or for those heading down into the United States.

On Air Canada’s side, it has placed its code on 19 routes operated by Emirates, with a strong focus on those to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Another Air Canada Codeshare Announcement

The secondary announcement from the airline is that commencing December 2, 2025, Air Canada will, subject to regulatory approval, reinstate its codeshare agreement with Air India.

The fellow Star Alliance member will rejoin the long list of airlines with which Air Canada is closely aligned, offering more convenient travel opportunities between Canada and India moving forward.

Air Canada also hopes to provide passengers with seamless connections in the existing market, while expanding the network within reach.

Data support the strong passenger flow between Canada and India in recent times. As a result, this type of reinstatement has been deemed necessary given trends and what is expected to continue on the demand front.

With many more aircraft expected to arrive in Air Canada’s hands in the coming years, there’s the full expectation that a strong focus on the business will be on responding to demand through to the subcontinent and with that, relationships such as these with Air India will be all the more beneficial to those passengers using the services for onward travel opportunities.