It’s been a busy few years for Air Canada. In 2024, the airline carried 47 million passengers and reported file working revenues of $22.3 billion. This 12 months, it’s continued to make daring strikes, together with relaunching a route even American Airlines hasn’t returned to, and hinting that extra large developments are on the horizon.
Now, Air Canada is teasing a “main announcement” at Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport, and vacationers on-line assume they already know what’s coming. Right here’s what we all know to date in regards to the upcoming occasion, and what persons are speculating.
Air Canada Will Make A “Main Announcement” At Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport
Air Canada has introduced it is going to maintain a press conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport to share what it is calling a “main announcement.”
The airline’s Govt Vice President and Chief Industrial Officer, Mark Galardo, will probably be joined by a number of different executives, together with:
- RJ Steenstra, President and CEO of PortsToronto
- Jennifer Quinn, CEO of Nieuport Aviation
- Doug Clarke, President of Jazz Aviation
Whereas the subject of tomorrow’s press convention has not but been revealed, many imagine that the lineup of audio system suggests the information may contain a brand new collaboration or a change to operations at Billy Bishop.
Vacationers Assume They’ve Already Figured Out What The Announcement Will Be
On Reddit’s r/aircanada forum, vacationers have been speculating over the previous few days about what Air Canada’s “main announcement” is perhaps. Many assume it may contain including U.S. pre-clearance to Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport, which might pave the way in which for America-bound flights.
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They wrote: |
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“Have to be the launch of U.S. pre-clearance. YTZ-LGA flights incoming?” |
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“Correct lounge, perhaps? IIRC, there’s solely a restaurant there. Or perhaps new YTZ routes?” |
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“I feel it will be an enormous route announcement provided that Galardo will probably be there.” |
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“Chicago O’Hare?” |
These commenters could also be on to one thing. Air Canada has just lately observed a rising pattern of vacationers reserving last-minute journeys from Canada to america regardless of the continuing boycott that started earlier this 12 months. In keeping with a transcript from Discover America Canada’s State of the Trade on-line panel dialogue, supplied by Travel Weekly, the airline is already planning so as to add new routes subsequent summer season to Columbus, Cleveland, and San Antonio.
“In these circumstances of relative uncertainty, we see some constructive indicators and rising demand for sure experiences, sure locations,” mentioned Viktor Spysak, Supervisor of Gross sales and Tourism Partnerships at Air Canada, through the dialogue.
Nonetheless, not everyone seems to be satisfied the announcement will give attention to U.S. growth, given present journey sentiment tied to American politics. In February, the Trump administration launched 25% tariffs on nearly all items imported from Canada, in response to a New York Times recap. These tariffs went into impact in March and had been suspended shortly after, however the harm had already been finished. Because of this, many Canadians started boycotting the U.S.
“[I] doubt it is pre-clearance with the present U.S. administration and the feedback they’ve made about taking one other have a look at the idea,” wrote one Redditor.
Whereas Air Canada has reported a slight rise in U.S.-bound bookings, Spysak acknowledged that a lot of these passengers are “sixth freedom vacationers,” or “air passengers from different international locations touring by way of Canada to the U.S.” as a substitute of Canadian nationals.
That is according to current knowledge. Canadians are shifting their tourist spending from U.S. destinations to Latin American cities like Buenos Aires, which has seen a 148% enhance in journey spending because of this. Moreover, a July 2025 Longwoods International study of 1,000 Canadian adults discovered that 63% of Canadian vacationers are much less more likely to go to the U.S. resulting from American coverage and politics.
For now, vacationers must wait till Thursday’s announcement at Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport to seek out out what Air Canada has deliberate. Whether or not the service reveals new U.S. routes or one thing totally completely different stays to be seen.
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