Air Canada Launches New Routes – 2025
Air Canada Launches New Routes – Summer 2025 Air Canada has launched new routes to connect Canadian travellers with the United States, Europe and South America much conveniently. This decision will encourage tourism and offer new travel options, by linking Canada to popular destinations in: Sweden, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, Colombia and Guatemala. Canadians made more than 33 million trips overseas in 2024 and have spent over 41 billion dollars in countries around the globe. The company’s latest expansion is to evolving travel needs away from the U.S. and into culturally deep international destinations. With the relaunch of one route and the upcoming launch of others, Air Canada is not only opening up new tourism markets but also significantly driving the recovery and growth of international travel. Strengthening Transborder Connections Through Shifting Travel Trends Despite a recent decline in Canadian visits to the U.S., the air travel network between the two countries continues to expand robustly. In 2024, an impressive 20.4 million Canadian travelers journeyed to the United States, contributing over US $20.5 billion to the economy. However, 2025 has seen a reversal of this trend, with Canadian travel to the U.S. plummeting by 33% year-on-year in June, and flight bookings experiencing a 40% drop as early as February. Air Canada responded by launching a nonstop route from Vancouver to Nashville in May, offering direct access from the Canadian West Coast to one of America’s most vibrant cultural and economic centers. Simultaneously, a year-round Montreal–Cincinnati route opened up, connecting Quebec to the American Midwest and fostering new trade and tourism ties. Meanwhile, within Canada, new routes like Toronto to St. John’s (launched in June) and Ottawa to Calgary (starting in July) are bolstering regional connectivity, providing critical links between economic and political hubs across the country. Canadians Discovering Europe: New Routes to Sweden, Portugal, and Italy With Canadian travel to the U.S. seeing a decline, Europe is becoming a top choice for Canadian globetrotters. Early 2025 saw a clear shift, with outbound air travel to overseas destinations jumping 8.1% in March and 9.1% in April compared to the previous year. Air Canada is meeting this renewed interest with an exciting array of new transatlantic routes. In May, direct flights from Toronto to Stockholm began operating four times a week. This new service offers Canadians easy access to Sweden’s vibrant capital, known for its design innovation. While specific 2024 Canadian arrival numbers for Sweden aren’t available, the growing interest in Nordic countries is evident in overall outbound travel trends. Air Canada also introduced a seasonal Montreal-Porto route this spring, providing a convenient way to explore Portugal. This country has become increasingly popular with travellers drawn to its affordability, stunning coastlines, and historic appeal, offering a refreshing alternative to more crowded European destinations. For those eager to experience more of Italy, a seasonal Montreal-Naples flight also launched this spring. This route connects travelers directly to Italy’s southern coast, a region rich with iconic sites like Pompeii, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, and authentic Neapolitan cuisine. These new Italian connections reflect a growing desire among Canadian travelers for genuine, less-commercialized European adventures. South America Beckons: New Flights to Brazil and Colombia South America is quickly emerging as a top alternative for Canadians looking to escape the winter chill. Colombia alone welcomed 2.2 million foreign tourists in 2024, with Canada recognized as a growing source of these visitors. Air Canada is making it simpler for Canadians to experience Brazil’s vibrant cultural capital with a new Toronto to Rio de Janeiro flight. This nonstop service will cater to both leisure travellers seeking sun and samba, and business travellers looking to foster growing trade connections. Also launching in December is a new Toronto–Cartagena service, offering Canadians direct access to Colombia’s Caribbean gem. Known for its charming colonial architecture, idyllic island escapes, and bustling street life, this new route is expected to be highly popular among Canadians seeking sunny getaways with a touch of history. Air Canada New Routes – Direct Flights to Guatemala Air Canada is set to introduce its first direct flight to Guatemala with a Montreal to Guatemala City route launching this October. While specific Canadian visitor numbers for Guatemala from 2024–2025 aren’t publicly available, there’s been a consistent increase in Canadian interest in Central America, particularly among those seeking eco-tourism, adventure, and cultural heritage experiences. This new route offers a direct connection to a country celebrated for its ancient Mayan ruins, dramatic active volcanoes, and stunning natural landscapes. Beyond leisure tourism, it also signifies strengthening trade and development ties between Canada and Guatemala, fostering broader business and government collaboration. Air Canada’s Global Vision: Meeting Evolving Travel Demands Canadian travel habits are clearly evolving. While millions still visit the U.S., its long-standing dominance is easing as travelers increasingly seek out culturally immersive, less-trodden paths in Europe and Latin America. With Canadians making 33.2 million outbound trips and spending over US $41.7 billion globally in 2024, Air Canada is strategically aligning its network with the countries experiencing the most significant shifts in demand. From Portugal’s wine regions to Sweden’s opera houses, Brazil’s sun-kissed coastlines, or Guatemala’s volcanic lakes, Canadians are venturing further and deeper than ever before. What they want is direct, seamless access to these experiences. Air Canada’s strategy effectively removes travel friction. By offering more nonstop flights to a broader range of global destinations. Canadians can bypass traditional hubs and head directly to the heart of their chosen adventure. Through the introduction of new routes that connect Canadians directly to the United States, Europe, and South America, Air Canada is actively boosting tourism. This strategic move comes as Canadian outbound travel has surged past 33 million trips, reflecting a clear trend of travelers seeking richer, more diverse international experiences beyond the traditional U.S. market. Canada’s Tourism Future: A Boost from Air Canada’s Global Expansion With routes now connecting Canada directly to the United States, Sweden, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, Colombia, and Guatemala, Air Canada is doing more than just expanding its network. It’s actively redefining
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