Emirates and Air Canada have announced a major expansion of their existing strategic partnership, which has been in place since 2022.
As announced at the Dubai Airshow today, the two carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend their reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31, 2032.
The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, leading to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and will create potential for new gateways in Canada within the codeshare network.
Mark Galardo, EVP, chief commercial officer and president of cargo at Air Canada, said the partnership has been “highly successful” and the two flag carriers are proud to extend it.
“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 the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia,” he said.
“Renewing this partnership is great news, not just for our customers but also for Canada, as it enhances our ability to connect the country to the world amid evolving trade and travel patterns.”
Since 2021, the year before the codeshare partnership was launched, the UAE’s exports to Canada have grown from $664 million to almost $1bn per year.
Canada’s exports to the UAE grew from $2.78bn in 2021 to $3.14bn in 2022, only to fall to $2.51bn as of last year.
“Through enhanced cargo cooperation, we remain committed to facilitating commerce and contributing to the continued prosperity of both economies,” said Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer at Emirates.
“We believe this partnership will serve as a catalyst for strengthening our footprint in Canada and unlocking new opportunities for growth.”
The extended agreement aims to enhance the customer experience through improved priority benefits for eligible passengers and operational coordination between both airlines, including ensuring a move of operations to Dubai World Central - Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
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.
This includes several new routes that were added this summer, namely Air Canada-operated services from Toronto to Minneapolis, Montreal 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.
Since 2022, more than 500,000 customers, or almost 500 every day, have connected across the 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,” said Mary-Jane Lorette, VP of international affairs, network and partnerships at Air Canada.
“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.”