Emirates and Air Canada to Extend Strategic Partnership with Major, Multi-Year Expansion Agreement

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Emirates and Air Canada on Monday 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.