Air Canada is set to launch daily flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to four U.S. cities, namely New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The airline plans to commence four daily round-trip flights to New York LaGuardia in March 2026, followed by the introduction of three daily flights to Boston Logan, two to Chicago O’Hare, and one to Washington Dulles throughout the summer.
This move by Air Canada signifies a heightened competition with Porter Airlines, which already serves these American destinations from Billy Bishop. The expansion of Air Canada’s routes reflects the increasing rivalry between the two carriers.
The newly proposed routes have been made feasible by the upcoming establishment of U.S. customs pre-clearance at the Toronto Island airport, as stated by Roelof-Jan Steenstra, CEO of PortsToronto, the parent company of Billy Bishop. The pre-clearance facility is anticipated to open in the near future, allowing passengers to clear American customs before departure while still on Canadian soil.
In light of declining Canadian travel to the U.S., Air Canada and other airlines have been making adjustments to their services. Statistics Canada data from September indicates a significant decrease in Canadian air travelers returning from the U.S. compared to the previous year. As a response to these shifting trends, Air Canada has also announced an increase in the frequency of two domestic routes, adding one daily flight to Montreal and two to Ottawa.
The new routes will be operated using 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. This strategic expansion by Air Canada aligns with evolving travel patterns and aims to offer passengers more convenient options for both domestic and international travel.