Air Canada History and Operations Explained

Air Canada has a rich history that spans over 85 years, dating back to 1937 when it was formed as a result of the merger between Canadian Airways and Trans-Canada Air Lines.

The airline's first flight took place on April 1, 1937, from Vancouver to Seattle.

In the early days, Air Canada operated a fleet of small aircraft, including the Lockheed L-10 Electra and the DC-3.

Air Canada's operations have expanded significantly over the years, with the airline now serving over 200 destinations worldwide.

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Air Canada has a rich history that spans over 80 years. The airline was founded in 1937 as Trans-Canada Airlines, a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway.

The airline's first flight took off in 1938, operating a single route between Vancouver and Montreal. It was a small operation, but it marked the beginning of a long journey.

In 1965, Trans-Canada Airlines was renamed Air Canada, reflecting the airline's growing scope and ambitions. This change also marked a shift towards becoming a more independent airline.

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Air Canada's fleet grew rapidly in the 1970s, and by the end of the decade, the airline was operating over 100 aircraft. This expansion enabled Air Canada to offer more routes and services to its customers.

The airline continued to grow and evolve throughout the 1980s and 1990s, introducing new aircraft and routes, and expanding its global network.

Air Canada's company structure is a complex network of departments and teams that work together to provide top-notch service to its customers. The airline has a strong management team led by the President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rousseau.

The airline is divided into several key areas, including Customer Experience, which is responsible for ensuring that customers have a great experience from booking to arrival. This includes the check-in process, in-flight amenities, and baggage handling.

Air Canada also has a robust maintenance and repair operation, with a team of skilled technicians who work to keep its fleet of aircraft in top condition. This team is responsible for performing routine maintenance, as well as making repairs as needed.

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Air Canada became fully privatized in 1989.

The airline's variable voting shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:AC), and on OTCQX International Premier in the US under the single ticker symbol "ACDVF" since July 29, 2016.

Ownership of Air Canada's voting interests by non-residents of Canada is capped at 25% by the Air Canada Public Participation Act (ACPPA).

The Canada Transportation Act (CTA) requires Canadians to own and control at least 75% of the voting interests of licensed Canadian carriers.

Air Canada's articles contain restrictions to ensure it remains "Canadian" as defined under the CTA.

Air Canada's leadership has undergone significant changes over the years, with the airline being helmed by a department head who reported to the President of CNR prior to 1976.

The CEO and President of Air Canada have been Claude Taylor, Pierre Jeanniot, Claude Taylor, Hollis L. Harris, R. Lamar Durrett, Robert Milton, Montie Brewer, Călin Rovinescu, and Michael Rousseau since 1976.

Here's a list of Air Canada's CEOs and Presidents since 1976:

Air Canada Rouge is a subsidiary of Air Canada launched in December 2012.

Air Canada Rouge serves predominantly leisure destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Mexico, and the United States.

Its fleet consists of Airbus A319, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321 aircraft.

Air Canada Rouge's former routes to Asia, Europe, and South America were cancelled after the retirement of its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.

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Air Canada's Operations Centre is located in Brampton, Ontario, and oversees all flight operations including dispatching and crew scheduling.

It has an off-site disaster recovery site and is typically unused.

The airline moved its headquarters to the airport in 1990 to cut costs, which likely also impacted the operations centre's location.

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Air Canada's headquarters is located in Montreal, specifically at the Air Canada Centre, also known as La Rondelle, a 7-storey building on the grounds of Montréal–Trudeau International Airport in Saint-Laurent.

The airline has a long history of changing its headquarters location, having previously been based at 1 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal from 1975.

Air Canada moved its headquarters to the airport in 1990 to cut costs.

The Operations Centre, which oversees all flight operations, is located in Brampton, Ontario, and is responsible for dispatching and crew scheduling.

Air Canada has a long history of modernizing its fleet, and it's been a significant focus for the airline over the years.

In 2004, Air Canada retired its Boeing 747 fleet after 33 years of service, replacing it with the Airbus A340 fleet. The airline also unveiled a new aircraft color scheme and uniforms that year.

The Boeing 767-300ER was one of the first aircraft to be painted in the new silver-blue color, with a new version of the maple leaf logo known as the 'Frosted Leaf'.

Air Canada has continued to invest in its fleet, purchasing 16 Boeing 777s and 14 Boeing 787-8s in 2005. Deliveries of the 777s began in March 2007, while the 787s started arriving in May 2014.

The airline has also upgraded its in-flight entertainment system, offering personal AVOD (8.9 in touchscreen LCD) in Economy class and Executive Class, as well as larger AVOD (12 in touchscreen LCD) with noise-cancelling headphones in Executive First Suites.

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Here are some key features of Air Canada's upgraded in-flight entertainment system:

Air Canada's fleet modernization efforts have continued in recent years, with the airline introducing new aircraft and upgrading its in-flight amenities.

Air Canada's cabin crew uniforms have undergone significant changes over the years. The airline unveiled a new uniform scheme in 2017, designed by Vancouver-born fashion designer Christopher Bates.

The new uniforms feature a base colour of black or grey with red lettering and the famous maple leaf, marking a departure from the previous midnight blue colour. This change was a part of Air Canada's 150th and 80th anniversary celebrations.

The midnight blue uniforms, designed by Canadian fashion designer Debbie Shuchat, were used from 2004 to 2017. Celine Dion helped debut the new image of the airline at a presentation in the Toronto Airport hangar.

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Air Canada operates a significant number of flights to various destinations around the world.

One of the most popular routes is Toronto to New York, which connects two major business hubs for economic ties. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes.

The table below shows some of the most popular routes with Air Canada, including their starting prices and flight days.

Air Canada also offers flights to other popular destinations, including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, among others.

Seats on Air Canada flights vary depending on the class of service. In Economy Class, seats have a pitch of 30 to 32 inches and a recline of 4.5 to 6 inches.

In Premium Economy, seats are larger and have greater recliners than Economy Class seats. They are configured in a 2-3-2 layout with a 20-inch width and a 37 to 38-inch seat pitch.

Business Class seats are configured in a 1-2 abreast layout, offering a recline of around 120 degrees and a width of 20 inches.

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Signature-class seats are fully convertible to flatbeds in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. They have a 21-inch width and a 6ft 7-inch seat pitch.

Here's a comparison of seat configurations on Air Canada flights:

Seat selection fees apply, but passengers with certain fare types or elite status can select seats for free.

Air Canada offers a range of services to make your travel experience more enjoyable. Their airport lounges are available to eligible customers, providing a quiet space to relax and enjoy complimentary food and beverages.

You can also take advantage of their check-in and baggage services, which include online check-in, self-service kiosks, and baggage handling. This allows you to skip lines and get to your gate quickly.

Their customer service team is available to help with any questions or issues you may have, and they also offer a range of travel assistance services, such as trip cancellations and interruptions.

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Air Canada launched Air Canada Tango in 2001, offering no-frills service and lower fares on a dedicated fleet of 13 Airbus A320s.

The Tango service was designed to compete with Canada 3000 and operated from Toronto to various cities in Canada and the US.

In Canada, Tango operated from Toronto to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Gander, and St. John's.

Tango also operated non-stop service between Toronto and Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa, as well as between Montreal and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

The Tango service was dissolved in 2004, but Air Canada has kept the name alive as a fare class, which was once called Tango but is now called Standard fare.

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Air Canada offers a variety of cabins to suit different tastes and budgets. The Signature Class cabin is available on all wide-body aircraft and offers a range of amenities, including audio-video on-demand and noise-canceling headphones.

The Signature Class cabin comes in two types: Executive Pod and Classic Pod. The Executive Pod seats are convertible to a flatbed with a 6ft 7inch seat pitch, while the Classic Pod seats are convertible to a flatbed with a 6ft 3-inch seat pitch.

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Business Class is a premium product with seats configured as 2-2 abreast, offering a 124-degree recline and 21-inches width. This cabin also provides complimentary meals and drinks, as well as a wide range of in-flight entertainment options.

Premium Economy Class offers better seats with greater recline compared to Economy Class, along with personal audio-video on-demand and music. Complimentary meals and drinks are also available, and longer routes may include amenities like toiletry bags, pillow & blankets service, and night clothing.

Economy Class is available on all Air Canada aircraft, with seats configured with a 30 to 32-inches pitch and 4.5 to 6-inches recline. Complimentary meals and drinks are offered on all international flights outside North America.

Here's a summary of the different cabins offered by Air Canada:

Meals are a highlight of any flight, and Air Canada's options are sure to please. On international economy class flights, you'll get a complimentary hot meal after take-off, with a lighter option for your second meal service.

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In international premium economy class, you'll be treated to welcome drinks and two main meal dishes to choose from. However, if you're flying within North America, you'll only get complimentary snacks in this cabin.

Business class passengers can look forward to hot meals, depending on the flight distance. If you're departing before 10 am, you'll even get a complimentary hot breakfast.

Air Canada's signature class is a real treat, with exclusive meals designed by renowned chefs. You'll also get to enjoy signature cocktails featuring bourbon, sprite, ginger ale, maple syrup, and lemon. And, as a bonus, you can opt for on-demand service at your convenience.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of meal service on Air Canada flights:

Air Canada offers a wide range of travel options, including flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.

The airline's hub airports are located in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa, making it easy to connect to other flights.

Air Canada's check-in process can be done online or at the airport, and passengers can also use the airline's mobile app to check-in and access their boarding pass.

If you're planning a trip with Air Canada, it's good to know their IATA code is AC.

You can fly to 183 destinations with Air Canada, which is a lot of options to choose from.

Their top route is from Toronto to Vancouver, a popular route for both business and leisure travelers.

Air Canada serves 180 airports, which is a significant number.

Some of their top airports include Vancouver International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Here are some key check-in details to keep in mind:

If you're planning a trip to Canada, you're in luck because Air Canada has plenty of domestic routes to explore.

Air Canada operates flights to several major cities across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. These cities are not only great destinations in their own right, but they're also hubs for connecting to other parts of the world.

Air Canada also flies to several other popular destinations in Canada, including Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec City, Victoria, Kelowna, Winnipeg, and Halifax. These cities offer a range of experiences, from vibrant urban culture to stunning natural beauty.

Here are some of the most popular destinations on Air Canada:

To manage your Air Canada booking, you'll need your booking reference or ticket number and the last name of the passenger.

You can make changes to your travel dates, times, or destination if your fare type allows it, and even add checked baggage or pre-purchase meals for most flights.

Passenger name corrections are possible online, but full name changes usually require contacting customer support.

You can also reprint your eTicket directly from the manage bookings page if you lost your ticket or need another copy.

For real-time updates about flight changes or disruptions, you can update your email address and phone number anytime through the manage booking tool provided by Air Canada.

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Air Canada has a clear baggage policy to make your travel experience smoother. The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 lb (23kg).

You can check-in for your Air Canada flight online, mobile, or at the airport. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, while check-in kiosks or counters open 12 hours prior to departure.

To check-in online, you can use the Air Canada mobile app or website, and print your boarding pass or receive it on your phone by email or SMS. You can also choose your seat, increase checked baggage allowance, and add or amend a frequent flyer number during online check-in.

Here's a summary of Air Canada's baggage and check-in policies:

Baggage can be a bit of a hassle, but with Air Canada's policies, you'll be well-prepared. The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 lb (23 kg).

If you're traveling with Air Canada, you're allowed to bring one carry-on suitcase with a personal item like a laptop bag or handbag. The dimensions for the carry-on bag should be no more than 55 x 23 x 40 cm and the personal bag should be no more than 33 x 16 x 43 cm.

You can also bring one standard item and one personal item as hand luggage. Standard items must be no larger than 23 x 40 x 55 cm, and no heavier than 10 kg. Personal items must be no larger than 16 x 33 x 43 cm and no heavier than 10 kg.

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If you have a lot of luggage, you might want to check the checked baggage policy. Economy passengers are entitled to 1 item with a maximum weight of 23 kg, while Premium Economy passengers can bring 2 items with the same size and weight restrictions.

Here's a quick rundown of the checked baggage allowances:

Online check-in for Air Canada flights opens 24 hours before scheduled departure, and you can print your boarding pass or get a mobile boarding card. If you're checking in early, you can also choose your seat, increase your checked baggage allowance, or ask for an upgrade (if eligible).

You can complete your Air Canada online check-in on the Air Canada mobile app or website before 24 hours of the flight departure.

Online check-in for an Air Canada flight opens 24 hours before scheduled departure, and you can print your boarding pass or opt for a mobile boarding card on your cell phone.

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The latest possible time for online check-in on Air Canada flights varies depending on the route, but is more often than not between 60 and 20 minutes before take-off.

Online check-in allows you to choose your seat, increase checked baggage allowance, add or amend a frequent flyer number, or ask for an upgrade, but please note that not all passengers are eligible for an upgrade.

You can check-in for your Air Canada flight in three ways: online, mobile, or offline/airport check-in.

Online check-in allows you to check-in on the airline's official website 24 hours before the flight departure time and print your boarding pass.

Mobile check-in is available through the Android or iPhone apps, and check-in opens 24 hours before the flight departure time.

You can receive your boarding pass on your phone by Email or SMS or print it at the airport kiosk.

Air Canada provides kiosk check-in and desk check-in at the airport, where airline representatives will help you with this option.

Here are the check-in options and their corresponding opening times:

Check-in and baggage drop-off closes 60 minutes before for within Canada, To/from the US, and international travel.

If you're traveling with a child who doesn't meet the minimum age requirement for unaccompanied travel, they'll need to be accompanied by an adult. This adult must be at least 16 years old and occupy a seat in the same cabin as the child.

Children under 8 years old are required to be accompanied by an adult at all times, and the adult must be seated adjacent to the child.

Air Canada has a specific unaccompanied minor policy for children between 8 and 11 years old - they must use the unaccompanied minor service, which includes dedicated care from check-in to arrival.

The unaccompanied minor service is optional for children between 12 and 17 years old, but it's still available if you want extra peace of mind.

Here's a breakdown of the unaccompanied minor policy by age group:

The unaccompanied minor service comes with a fee of $100-$118 CAD each way, per child, per flight, and includes meals on flights and dedicated care from check-in to arrival.

Air Canada's customer support is incredibly efficient, with an average waiting time of just 12 minutes when you call their customer care number. They're available 24x7 for all international travelers.

You can find solutions to all your flight-related issues on their customer care page, which is packed with educational information on topics like discounts, cancellations, and lost baggage.

Their customer care support is available in English, which is a big plus for international travelers.

Air Canada has set up volumes of call centers worldwide to cater to clients' flight issues, making it easy to get in touch with them no matter where you are in the world.

You can reach them by dialing 844-202-6328, which is a toll-free number that's available 24/7.

Their callback service is also available, which means you can get a real person to call you back when it's convenient for you.

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Air Canada faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel restrictions forcing the airline to suspend most of its flights by March 31, 2020.

The airline's financial performance suffered greatly, with a loss of CA$1.05 billion in its first quarterly financial report, compared to a profit of CA$345 million in Q1 2019.

In the third quarter, Air Canada reported a loss of CA$685 million, and capacity in the fourth quarter of the 2020 fiscal year was 75 percent lower than the previous year.

The Government of Canada invested in Air Canada as part of a $5.9 billion COVID-19 related assistance package, acquiring 6.4% of the airline's shares in April 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Air Canada's operations. Service was heavily restricted due to travel restrictions, with most flights suspended by 31 March 2020.

Air Canada's financial situation suffered greatly during this time. The airline reported a loss of CA$1.05 billion in its first quarterly financial report, compared to a profit of CA$345 million in Q1 2019.

The airline's capacity in the fourth quarter of the 2020 fiscal year was 75 percent lower than the previous year. This was a significant decline in service.

In June 2022, Air Canada announced it was cancelling over 150 daily flights due to unprecedented pressure in the aviation industry. This was a result of the ongoing pandemic and its effects on travel.

The Government of Canada provided assistance to Air Canada during the pandemic. In April 2021, they acquired 6.4% of the airline as part of a $5.9 billion COVID-19 related assistance package.

The Government sold its stake in Air Canada in 2024, confirming they did not intend to be a long-term owner of the shares.

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In August 2025, Air Canada faced a significant work stoppage involving over 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The strike began on 16 August and resulted in the cancellation of approximately 130,000 passenger journeys per day.

A tentative agreement was reached on 19 August, and operations resumed later that day.

The strike led to 3,200 flight cancellations.

The wage component of the agreement was subsequently rejected by 99.1% of members, although other provisions remained in effect.

This resulted in an estimated revenue loss of C$430 million.

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Air Canada's financial performance has been quite the rollercoaster ride over the years. The company was loss-making for several years, but managed to turn a profit in 2012 with a net profit of $131 million.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the airline's finances, resulting in a net loss of $4,647 million. This was a stark contrast to the previous year, when the airline had a net profit of $1,476 million.

Here's a brief overview of Air Canada's key financial metrics over the years:

Air Canada's operating revenue has fluctuated over the years, but has generally trended upwards. The airline's net profit has also seen significant fluctuations, with a high of $2,038 million in 2017 and a low of $−4,647 million in 2020.

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty marketing program that was spun off from the airline in 2005.

It's operated by Groupe Aeroplan Inc.

Air Canada re-purchased Aeroplan from Aimia Inc in January 2019.

Air Canada has had its share of ups and downs over the years. The company was loss-making from 2009 to 2011, but managed to turn things around in 2012 with a net profit of $131 million.

One key trend is the steady increase in operating revenue. In 2009, Air Canada's operating revenue was $9,739 million, but by 2017, this had risen to $16,252 million.

The number of employees has also fluctuated, reaching a peak of 32,900 in 2019 before dropping to 21,100 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The passenger load factor has also seen its share of fluctuations, with a low of 61.6% in 2020 and a high of 86.7% in 2023.

Here's a breakdown of the key trends:

Air Canada's pension plan is a significant investment vehicle, managed by Trans-Canada Capital.

Trans-Canada Capital has allocated the fund's $30 billion in assets across various asset classes, including Canadian fixed income, absolute return hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and private debt.

The fund has experienced impressive growth under TCC's management, increasing from $23 billion in 2020 to $30 billion in 2024.

A key partnership for the fund is with Pretium Partners, which began in 2013 and involves investing in their single-family rental real estate strategy.

Air Canada's pension plan adheres to strict Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rules, which guide its investment decisions.

As a result, the fund refrains from investing in companies associated with coal, tobacco, and weapons production.

Air Canada has a vast network of partnerships and agreements that make traveling more convenient for its customers. One of the ways it achieves this is through codeshare agreements with numerous airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, and Air China.

Air Canada has interline agreements with over 50 airlines, including Aer Lingus, Aegean Airlines, and Avianca. This means that passengers can book flights on multiple airlines and have their luggage transferred seamlessly.

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Here are some of the airlines that Air Canada has codeshare agreements with:

Air Canada announced it was in exclusive talks to buy Transat A.T., the parent company that owns Air Transat, for CA$520 million.

The talks led to a deal where Transat A.T. agreed to be purchased by Air Canada for CA$13 per share.

Air Canada later raised the purchase price to CA$18 per share, increasing the overall value of the deal to $720 million.

This revised deal was approved by 95% of Transat A.T. shareholders on 23 August 2019.

However, the agreement was revised downwards in October 2020 to CA$5 per share due to the challenges posed to the airline industry by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government of Canada approved the takeover on 11 February 2021, but the deal ultimately fell through in April 2021 due to a failure to secure European Commission approval.

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Air Canada has joint ventures with several airlines, which can be beneficial for both parties involved. One of the airlines they have a joint venture with is Lufthansa, a well-established German carrier.

Air Canada also has a joint venture with United Airlines, another major player in the industry. This partnership allows them to share resources and expertise, ultimately benefiting their customers.

In addition to these joint ventures, Air Canada is also a member of the Star Alliance, a global airline network that offers a wide range of travel options to its customers.

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Air Canada has a strong network of partnerships and agreements with various airlines worldwide. This allows for more travel options and a seamless experience for passengers.

Air Canada codeshares with over 30 airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, and Air New Zealand. These codeshare agreements enable passengers to book flights on partner airlines with Air Canada's flight numbers.

Some of the airlines Air Canada has codeshare agreements with include:

Air Canada has even more partnerships through interline agreements, which allow passengers to book flights on partner airlines with a single ticket. These agreements are in place with over 70 airlines, including Aer Lingus, Air China, and Lufthansa.

Air Canada's interline agreements include:

These partnerships and agreements demonstrate Air Canada's commitment to providing passengers with a wide range of travel options and a seamless experience.

Air Canada Cargo is the company's freight carrying division, offering over 150 shipping destinations through its airline network and ground logistics. It has a strong focus on European destinations, with direct services from major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Calgary.

A new cargo terminal was completed in Toronto in early 2002, featuring modernized inventory and conveyor systems. Cargo terminals are also located in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.

Two Air Canada employees allegedly participated in a grand theft at the Toronto Pearson International Airport cargo terminal on April 17, 2023, where a container containing gold bars and currency valued at over C$20 million was stolen.

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Air Canada Cargo is the freight carrying division of Air Canada, based at Toronto-Pearson, with over 150 shipping destinations through the Air Canada airline network, ground logistics, and airline partners.

Air Canada Cargo has a significant route network, focusing on European destinations through Eastern Canada departure points, as well as direct services from Vancouver and Calgary to major cities like Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Zurich.

A new cargo terminal was completed in Toronto in early 2002, featuring modernized inventory and conveyor systems.

Air Canada Cargo terminals are also found in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.

A significant security breach occurred at the Air Canada cargo terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport on 17 April 2023, where a container containing gold bars and currency valued at over C$20 million was stolen, allegedly with the participation of two Air Canada employees.

Express services are a vital part of the cargo and transportation industry, allowing for fast and efficient delivery of goods.

Air Canada Express is a prime example of this, operating as a regional feeder service for Air Canada and utilizing independent carriers such as Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines.

Express services can significantly reduce transit times, making them a popular choice for time-sensitive shipments.

In the case of Air Canada Express, this means that goods can be transported quickly and reliably to their destinations.