Emirates and Air Canada announced a commitment to expand and extend their strategic partnership, building on the success of a three-year-old agreement between two of the world’s leading airlines.
Since launching their
strategic partnership in 2022, the airlines have already served more than
550,000 customers, connecting travellers across 56 codeshare routes linking
Canada, the US, Dubai and key destinations around the globe.
The carriers have
signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the reciprocal
codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31, 2032.
The renewed agreement
will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and
cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways
within Canada in the codeshare network.
“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,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice
President & Chief Commercial Officer and President, Cargo at Air
Canada.
“Our strategic
partnership with Air Canada has delivered exceptional results, and we are
pleased to extend this collaboration through 2032. This agreement
strengthens our passenger and cargo capabilities, enabling us to enhance
customer experiences on codeshare flights while expanding network connectivity
for travellers across both markets,” said Adnan Kazim,
Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates.
“Beyond passenger
services, we recognise the vital role air connectivity plays in fostering
economic growth. Since establishing our codeshare partnership in
2022, we have witnessed consistent trade expansion between the UAE
and Canada. Through enhanced cargo cooperation, we remain committed
to facilitating commerce and contributing to the continued prosperity
of both economies. We believe this partnership will serve as a catalyst for
strengthening our footprint in Canada and unlocking new opportunities for growth.”
Air Canada-Emirates
Strategic Partnership
The enhanced
partnership between Emirates and Air Canada is poised to significantly
strengthen tourism and trade between both countries.
The collaboration will
increase passenger choice and enable expanded cargo cooperation
that will facilitate bi-directional cargo flow between the
Americas, the Middle East, and Indian subcontinent. Both airlines are also
exploring a potential joint venture focused on cargo operations to support the
efficient movement of commodities globally.
The extended agreement
will enhance the customer experience through improved priority benefits
for eligible passengers and operational coordination between both
airlines, including ensuring a seamless move of operations to Dubai
World Central - Maktoum International Airport (DWC) (expected after 2032).
Since its inception,
the partnership has grown consistently, with the codeshare network expanding
to 56 routes that connect Emirates customers
to 37 destinations throughout Canada and the US, including several
new routes that were added this summer: Air Canada-operated services from
Toronto to Minneapolis, Montréal to Calgary, and Vancouver to Los
Angeles. Air Canada also places its code on 19
routes operated by Emirates to the Indian subcontinent, Middle
East and Southeast Asia.
In addition to flights
under the codeshare agreement, Emirates and Air Canada’s interline partnership
also provides customers with access to over 225 destinations worldwide.
“Partnerships are one
of the most powerful engines of growth in our business, and our collaboration
with Emirates is a perfect example. Since launching in 2022, more than
half-a-million customers, almost 500 every single day, have
seamlessly connected across our combined networks. What makes this partnership
so compelling is the ease and breadth of the experience: more routing choice,
reciprocal loyalty benefits, lounge access for eligible customers, and smooth
interline and codeshare journeys. With this renewed
agreement, we’re taking it even further by enhancing the customer
experience, expanding access to more airports, and unlocking loyalty
redemptions across all cabins,” said Mary-Jane Lorette, Vice President
International Affairs, Network & Partnerships at Air Canada.
Since
the initial agreement in November 2022, Air
Canada relocated its Dubai operation to Dubai
International’s flagship Terminal 3.
The co-location of
operations in one of the world’s premier
terminals has significantly enhanced the
connection experience and provides eligible Air Canada customers
access to Emirates’ signature Business Class Lounges and other hub
facilities in Dubai prior to their flight.
The two airlines also
offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty program benefits. Aeroplan Members
can benefit from earning and redeeming points on all
flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 140
destinations across six continents — via the airline’s home and hub, Dubai.
Emirates Skywards
members can earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air
Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.
The carriers also have
plans to reciprocally expand redemptions to each other’s Premium Economy
cabins, unlocking the ability for eligible Skywards and Aeroplan members to
earn and redeem in all cabins operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively.
Air Canada
currently operates daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner service between
Toronto and Dubai. From Dubai, Emirates offers daily services to Toronto
onboard its popular flagship A380 aircraft. The world’s largest
international airline also operates seven weekly flights between
Dubai and Montréal, utilising its other widebody aircraft - the
Boeing 777. Customers flying on the carriers can plan their travel
itineraries to global destinations, with seamless connectivity.
Canada-UAE Trade
Air connectivity is a
key driver of Canada–UAE trade. Bilateral trade grew 14 per cent between
2022 and 2023, with Canadian exports reaching CAD $3.3 billion in
2024 — a 17 per cent increase over 2023. Enhanced air
links have boosted shipments out of Canada, with tonnage on
Emirates aircraft up 37 per cent year-over-year.
As a major global logistics hub and driver of tourism, Dubai supports Canadian businesses by facilitating trade, investment, and tourism across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and beyond. -TradeArabia News Service