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

Emirates and Air Canada have announced a major expansion and extension of their strategic partnership, reinforcing their cooperation until December 31, 2032. Key Highlights of the Agreement:

Extended Codeshare & Loyalty Partnership:
- Reciprocal codeshare agreement expanded to cover 56 routes, connecting Canada, the U.S., Dubai, and destinations across the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- Enhanced loyalty benefits: Aeroplan and Emirates Skywards members can earn and redeem points across both airlines, with plans to extend into Premium Economy cabins.

Passenger Benefits:
- Seamless connectivity through co-located operations at Dubai International’s Terminal 3.
- Lounge access for eligible Air Canada customers at Emirates’ Business Class Lounges.
- Expanded routing choices and smoother interline journeys.

Cargo Cooperation:
- Strengthened collaboration to boost two-way trade between the Americas, Middle East, and South Asia.
- Exploring a potential joint venture in cargo operations to enhance global logistics efficiency.

Tourism & Trade Impact:
- Bilateral trade between Canada and the UAE grew 14% between 2022–2023, with Canadian exports reaching CAD $3.3 billion in 2024.
- Cargo tonnage on Emirates aircraft from Canada rose 37% year-over-year, highlighting the importance of air connectivity in trade growth.

Strategic Importance
- Reinforces Emirates’ footprint in Canada and Air Canada’s reach across the Middle East and Asia.
- Supports tourism, cultural ties, and business travel between the two nations.
- Positions both airlines to adapt to evolving travel and trade patterns, including a future operational move to Dubai World Central (DWC) after 2032.

📌 This partnership is a textbook example of how airlines leverage alliances to expand networks, enhance customer experience, and drive economic growth.