Air Canada is poised to enhance its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) with the introduction of four new U.S. routes, set to commence in spring 2026. These routes will connect travelers to key cities including New York-LaGuardia, Chicago-O’Hare, Boston, and Washington D.C. Despite a recent downturn in the transborder market, Air Canada views these destinations as vital, especially within the lucrative corporate sector. Notably, two of these routes already cater to travelers through Porter Airlines, linking to different airports (EWR and MDW).
The Competitive Landscape: Air Canada vs. Porter Airlines
The rivalry between Air Canada and Porter Airlines has intensified as both airlines target the downtown airport for dominance. Named after Canada’s renowned aviator Billy Bishop, YTZ has become a battleground between these two major players. "There’s going to be a lot more Air Canada tails at Billy Bishop," said aviation expert Gradek, emphasizing that Air Canada’s strategy at YTZ isn’t purely about commercial gains. “YTZ is a true O&D [Origin & Destination] airport,” he stated, noting that most passengers are likely to come from within a 10 km radius, particularly given Toronto’s congested traffic.
Gradek remarked that the competitive atmosphere began years ago when Porter Airlines aggressively established its presence at YTZ, eventually acquiring the terminal and expanding its operations extensively.
WestJet’s Strategic Focus
Air Canada’s heightened activity in Toronto hasn’t gone unnoticed by WestJet, which has recently concentrated its efforts on routes in western Canada, particularly Calgary. "They’ve got YYC pretty much locked up," Gradek observed. WestJet’s aspirations may soon extend to eastern Canada, thanks to its recent historic aircraft order, which includes 60 737-10 MAX narrowbody jets and seven 787-9 Dreamliner widebodies, with additional options.
"This is a significant opportunity for them to make a strong comeback in eastern Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Halifax)," noted Gradek regarding WestJet’s ambitious expansion plan. The airline’s partnership with Delta, Korean Air, and Air France-KLM may further empower its operational capabilities, potentially bringing in seasoned executives from Delta Air Lines to enhance WestJet’s strategic expertise.
Air Transat Pilots Seek Strike Mandate
Air Transat is facing its own critical situation as its pilots prepare to vote on a strike mandate. Negotiations between the airline and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have stalled since starting in early 2025, prompting conciliation proceedings that began on September 19. If negotiations remain unresolved by November 18, a 21-day cooling-off period will follow, allowing pilots to strike if necessary come December 10.
The recent operational difficulties experienced at Air Canada due to a three-day flight attendants’ strike serve as a reminder of the impact such labor disputes can have on the airline industry. A spokesperson for Air Transat emphasized the importance of the ongoing discussions, stating, “We consider ALPA’s remarks to be premature,” and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to reaching a competitive agreement through negotiations.
For more information about Air Canada’s strategic growth at YTZ, click here. To explore the latest updates on Air Transat’s negotiations, visit this link.
As the landscape of Canadian aviation continues to evolve, both competition and collaboration shape the future of air travel in Canada, heralding exciting developments for travelers in the years to come.
