Everyone knows that Air Canada is by far the largest international operator serving the North American country. In 2026, the Star Alliance member has an average 266 daily departures beyond Canada’s borders. It has 37% of the market, rising to 39% for sales for sale due to widebody operations.

Air Canada’s international flights are only at their seventh-highest level to date. They’re down from the record of 326 daily departures held in 2018. This is broadly because the carrier is using higher-capacity aircraft, with a record 171 seats per flight in 2026. It was just 141 in 2018, when turboprops were much more commonly deployed internationally and 50-seater regional jets were heavily used.

Air Canada Has Axed One Long-Haul Destination This Year

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Analyzing Air Canada’s schedule using OAG data shows that only Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) has been removed from the airline’s map this year. This does not include Dubai, as flights to that destination, which exist in partnership with Emirates, have simply been suspended. They’ll resume next year.

Canada’s flag carrier flew from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to BOM between July 2017 and March 2026, with no flights scheduled in the future. This is why Air India will launch this very long route on October 25, 2026.

Air Canada wanted to fly nonstop to/from the financial capital of India, which would have meant lower operating expenses, a quicker, more competitive offering, and greater aircraft availability. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the consequent inability to fly over Russia meant that this was not always possible.

In winter 2022/2023 and winter 2025/2026, flights stopped at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with fifth freedom traffic rights. Four weekly departures on the Boeing 787-9 were available, down from a daily offering in the prior periods. Air Canada flew from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Delhi via LHR in winter 2024/2025.

These Five International Destinations Have Also Ended In 2026

Credit: Air Canada

Four of the following five markets are in Cuba. Like Air Transat and WestJet, Air Canada has ended all services to the Caribbean country, which is ordinarily massively popular among Canadian vacationers. High-profile power outages, fuel shortages, food scarcity, and transportation disruptions all led to the suspension of flights. They will return, but it is unclear when. No departures are scheduled.

This played a small role in Air Canada having a record number of flights to other hotspots this year. For example, departures to Mexico have exceeded the prior high, set in 2025, by 11%, while those to the Dominican Republic are now 25% above the previous record. Other places have grown too, but from much smaller bases, including St. Maarten (+73%), the Cayman Islands (+55%), the Bahamas (+41%), and Aruba (+37%).

Air Canada Removed Another Long-Haul Destination In 2025

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Until now, this article has focused on 2026, but it is worth going back to 2025. Air Canada flew from YUL to Algiers, the capital of Algeria, between 2017 and 2018, when the airline’s lower-cost unit, Rouge, was deployed. Mainline equipment was used between 2019 and 2025.

Flights were due to return in 2026 but were pushed back to 2027, influenced by the price of jet fuel. They were then removed altogether. The Francophone route revolved around Canadian Algerians, most of whom necessarily live in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Nearly everyone visited friends and relatives, which is the lowest of the lowest for airline yields. It was perhaps Air Canada’s lowest-yielding long-haul market. Air Algérie still serves the market and will be pleased about Air Canada’s exit, which will help with traffic, loads, and yield performance. Air Canada’s routes to Africa have now halved, but perhaps not for long.