Air Canada Announces Largest International Expansion in Its History with Seven New Routes
Canada’s flagship airline will launch five new global destinations and seven direct routes in Summer 2027, creating 1,500 jobs and strengthening Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal as major international hubs
Date: September 5, 2026
By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku | Aviation Correspondent for GhanaianNewsCanada
Air Canada has unveiled the largest intercontinental expansion in the airline’s history, announcing seven new direct routes and five new international destinations set to begin operating in Summer 2027. 
The ambitious expansion will connect Canada more closely with Europe, Asia and Central America while reinforcing Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International Airport and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport as the airline’s three global gateways. 
According to Air Canada, the new network is expected to create more than 1,500 direct jobs by 2028 and contribute over C$7 billion annually to Canada’s economy through tourism, trade and international connectivity. 
The seven new routes
Air Canada’s expansion introduces new destinations while increasing service on several high-demand international markets.
In addition, the airline will restore its popular Toronto–London Heathrow Day Tripper, increase Toronto–Shanghai flights to daily service, and extend year-round flights from Montréal to Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City. 
Toronto gains three new European destinations
For travellers across the Greater Toronto Area, the announcement brings three exciting nonstop routes to Europe.
Beginning next summer, passengers will be able to fly directly from Toronto to Oslo, Shannon, and Nice, making Air Canada the only North American airline offering nonstop service on several of these routes. 
The Shannon service is particularly significant for Ireland’s west coast, while the Nice route expands direct access to France’s famous Riviera.
Vancouver strengthens its Asia connection
Vancouver will receive a new year-round nonstop service to Guangzhou, one of China’s largest commercial and manufacturing centres.
The route further strengthens British Columbia’s trade and cultural links with the Pearl River Delta and positions Air Canada as a leading North American carrier serving mainland China. 
Montréal expands its European footprint
From Québec, Air Canada will introduce new nonstop flights to Basel in Switzerland and Dubrovnik in Croatia.
The additions give Canadian travellers easier access to the heart of Europe’s pharmaceutical and financial industries, as well as one of the Adriatic coast’s most popular tourism destinations. 
A boost for Canada’s economy
Air Canada says the expansion is about more than tourism.
The airline believes the additional routes will support international business, increase exports, attract more visitors to Canada and generate thousands of employment opportunities across aviation, hospitality and airport operations. 
By the summer of 2027, Air Canada plans to operate more than 125 international routes connecting Canada to over 85 destinations across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. 
More destinations on the horizon
Air Canada has indicated that additional international announcements are expected later this year as more Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft join its growing fleet.

For Canadian travellers—and especially members of the Ghanaian community planning trips across Europe and Asia—the airline’s historic expansion promises more direct flights, improved connectivity and greater travel options from Canada’s largest cities.
