Emirates and Air Canada have announced the expansion and extension of their strategic partnership, building on the success of the cooperation agreement between them over the past three years, which brings together two of the world's most important airlines.
A press release published on the Emirates website said that since the launch of the strategic partnership in 2022, the two airlines have served more than 550,000 customers, providing seamless travel options across 56 destinations under the codeshare agreement, connecting Canada, the United States, Dubai and a number of key global destinations.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the codeshare agreement and the reciprocal frequent flyer program until December 31, 2032. The extension will deepen cooperation between the two airlines, provide enhanced services for passengers and cargo customers, and open new horizons for adding potential Canadian gateways to the codeshare network.
For his part, Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, said the airline's strategic partnership with Air Canada has yielded positive results, and that extending this cooperation until 2032 will enable the agreement to strengthen its passenger and cargo capabilities.
He added that the airline recognizes the vital importance of air connectivity in supporting economic growth, and that since the launch of the codeshare partnership in 2022, it has seen continued growth in the volume of trade between the UAE and Canada.
In the same context, Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer and President, Cargo at Air Canada, said the airline's partnership with Emirates has been a great success, prompting it to renew it early, expand its scope and extend it until the end of 2032.
He added that this step is a strong boost to Air Canada's international strategy, as it supports its year-round daily flights between Toronto and Dubai and gives its customers and cargo partners flexible and direct connection options to reach destinations in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
He stressed that renewing the partnership is important for the airline's customers, especially those with family, cultural or business ties to these regions, and that it also benefits Canada by strengthening Air Canada's ability to connect the country to the world amid continuing changes in trade and travel patterns.
The updated partnership between Emirates and Air Canada is expected to significantly boost tourism and trade between the two countries. The move will provide wider options for travelers and will support expanded cooperation in air cargo, facilitating the movement of goods in both directions between the Americas, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The two airlines are also exploring the possibility of launching a cargo joint venture to support the movement of goods globally with greater efficiency.
The extension of the agreement will enhance the customer experience by improving benefits for travelers on codeshare flights and achieving a higher level of operational coordination between the two airlines, ensuring a seamless transition of operations to Al Maktoum International Airport, expected after 2032.
The extension agreement builds on a successful partnership that has seen continuous growth, with the codeshare network expanding to 56 routes giving Emirates customers access to 37 destinations in Canada and the United States, including new destinations added this summer, such as Air Canada flights from Toronto to Minneapolis, Montreal to Calgary and Vancouver to Los Angeles.
Air Canada also places its code on 19 Emirates-operated flights to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In addition to codeshare flights, the interline agreement between Emirates and Air Canada gives travelers access to more than 225 destinations around the world.
Marie-Jane Lauret, Air Canada's Vice President of International Affairs, Network and Partnerships, said partnerships are an effective way to expand the airline's network efficiently and flexibly. She added that since the launch of the partnership with Emirates in 2022, more than half a million travelers have benefited from it, or nearly 500 travelers a day moving seamlessly between the two airlines.
She said that in addition to the variety of travel options, the agreement stands out by giving customers reciprocal loyalty program benefits and access to premium lounges for eligible passengers, while the interline and codeshare agreements provide a seamless travel experience that includes checking baggage directly through to the final destination.
She stressed that with the renewal of the agreement, the two airlines will further enhance these benefits, including improving the customer experience and expanding lounge access at more airports, as well as enabling loyalty points to be redeemed across all travel classes.
Since the first agreement was signed in November 2022, Air Canada has moved its Dubai operations to Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, Emirates' main terminal. This move has significantly enhanced the connecting experience, allowing eligible Air Canada customers to use Emirates' premium business class lounges, as well as the integrated facilities at the airline's hub before their flights.
The two airlines also offer joint benefits to members of their loyalty programs, as Aeroplan members can earn and spend points on all Emirates-operated flights and reach more than 140 destinations across six continents from the airline's Dubai hub. In turn, Emirates Skywards members can earn and redeem miles on all Air Canada flights, expanding to a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide.
The two sides also intend to extend reciprocal rewards to each other's premium economy cabins, allowing eligible Skywards and Aeroplan members to earn and redeem miles and points across all cabins operated on both Emirates and Air Canada flights.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
