MONTREAL— Canadian flag carrier Air Canada (AC) is expanding its Latin America and Caribbean footprint for the Winter 2025–26 season by resuming non-stop service to Lima, Peru (LIM) from Montreal (YUL) and Toronto (YYZ). The airline is also launching three new seasonal routes to Belize City (BZE), Puerto Escondido (PXM), and Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ).
These additions aim to capture rising travel demand from Canada and Europe for warm-weather getaways while enhancing Air Canada’s competitive reach across Central and South America.
Air Canada New Destinations
Air Canada’s latest expansion reflects its “New Frontiers Strategy”, emphasizing profitable leisure markets and broadening access to culturally rich destinations.
Resuming Montreal–Lima and Toronto–Lima flights (2x weekly each), the airline is reconnecting Canada with Peru’s archaeological wonders and commercial hubs.
Simultaneously, Air Canada introduces three new nonstop routes:
- Montreal (YUL) – Belize City (BZE) every Monday
- Toronto (YYZ) – Puerto Escondido (PXM) every Wednesday
- Vancouver (YVR) – Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ) every Wednesday
Flights are available between December 2025 and April 2026, strategically timed to meet peak winter travel demand. These routes are expected to benefit not just tourists but also the airline’s cargo division, particularly for destinations with strong agricultural exports.
Peru Service Resumes from Montreal and Toronto
The relaunch of Air Canada’s Peru flights follows a temporary suspension during the pandemic. Now, Montreal–Lima (AC88/AC89) will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting December 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, Toronto–Lima (AC86/AC87) resumes on Tuesdays and Fridays starting December 5, 2025. These overnight flights are ideal for connecting passengers and are expected to appeal to both Canadian travelers and Latin American diaspora communities.
Montreal (YUL) – Lima (LIM)
- Flight AC88: Departs Montreal 18:00, arrives Lima 02:15 (+1 day) — Wednesdays, Saturdays
- Flight AC89: Departs Lima 08:00, arrives Montreal 16:20 — Wednesdays, Saturdays
- Season: December 6, 2025 – March 25/28, 2026
Toronto (YYZ) – Lima (LIM)
- Flight AC86: Departs Toronto 22:10, arrives Lima 06:10 (+1 day) — Tuesdays, Fridays
- Flight AC87: Departs Lima 08:00, arrives Toronto 15:55 — Thursdays, Sundays
- Season: December 5, 2025 – March 26/27, 2026
New Mexico and Belize Routes Unlock Coastal Getaways
The airline is tapping into underserved beach markets with direct flights to emerging hotspots in Mexico and Central America:
Puerto Escondido (PXM)
Known for its golden sands and surf culture, this Oaxaca coast destination will now be accessible from Toronto. The AC1895/1894 service allows Canadian travelers to explore an off-the-radar bohemian retreat.
Toronto (YYZ) – Puerto Escondido (PXM)*
- Flight AC1895: Departs Toronto 10:10, arrives Puerto Escondido 13:43 — Wednesdays
- Flight AC1894: Departs Puerto Escondido 14:45, arrives Toronto 21:24 — Wednesdays
- Season: December 17, 2025 – April 8, 2026
- *Subject to Mexican government approval
Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ)
Launching from Vancouver, AC1350/1351 provides a new access point to Nayarit’s resort corridor—Sayulita, Punta Mita, and San Pancho—via a newly completed highway to Puerto Vallarta. This makes Tepic an emerging hub for eco-tourism and boutique luxury stays.
Vancouver (YVR) – Tepic, Riviera Nayarit (TPQ)*
- Flight AC1350: Departs Vancouver 09:45, arrives Tepic 15:45 — Wednesdays
- Flight AC1351: Departs Tepic 16:45, arrives Vancouver 20:55 — Wednesdays
- Season: December 17, 2025 – April 8, 2026
- *Subject to Mexican government approval
Belize City (BZE)
The AC1876/1877 route from Montreal will connect travelers to the Belize Barrier Reef, rainforest adventures, and Mayan heritage. This direct link offers French-speaking Canadians new access to a top-tier eco-travel destination.
Montreal (YUL) – Belize City (BZE):
- Flight AC1876: Departs Montreal 17:45, arrives Belize 22:05 — Mondays
- Flight AC1877: Departs Belize 11:00, arrives Montreal 16:40 — Tuesdays
- Season: December 8, 2025 – April 6/7, 2026
Winter 2025–26: Air Canada’s Largest Latin America Schedule
This winter, Air Canada will operate:
- Over 55 daily flights
- Serving 52 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean
- More than 80,000 weekly seats
This represents the highest seasonal capacity to sun destinations in the airline’s history and aligns with consumer trends seeking unique, experience-driven travel over traditional resort spots.
Summer Travel Patterns of Canadians
As summer travel accelerates, airlines like Air Canada (AC) and WestJet (WS) are reducing U.S. frequencies and expanding service to Europe and domestic markets.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), passenger volumes are peaking, driven by surging demand for non-U.S. destinations.
With over 11 million passengers expected this summer at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), airlines are realigning their networks to meet growing interest in European cities and Canadian travel hotspots, Global News reported.
Airlines Pivot to Meet Non-U.S. Travel Demand
Responding to evolving travel preferences, Canadian carriers have made notable adjustments. WestJet (WS), for instance, has reduced select Canada–U.S. routes while reinforcing frequencies within Canada and to sun destinations and Europe.
“We constantly assess and adjust the network based on where guests want to fly,” the airline stated, emphasizing a strategy driven by passenger demand across borders.
Porter Airlines (PD) has gone further, now dedicating 80% of its summer network to domestic travel—an increase from 75%. According to Robyn van Teunenbroek, Senior Manager of Communications, the airline has added new routes and increased frequencies to align with heightened domestic interest.
Air Canada (AC), meanwhile, confirmed shifts in its route strategy. The flag carrier is scaling back some sun and U.S. services, reallocating aircraft to Canadian and international destinations.
The airline has introduced routes such as Montreal–Edinburgh and Toronto (YYZ)–Prague, while also operating flights from Toronto to cities like Cartagena (CTG), Guadalajara (GDL), and Rio de Janeiro (GIG). It expects a 1–3% increase in overall network capacity in 2025.
European Cities Surge in Popularity from Toronto
According to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), European destinations like Rome (FCO), Paris (CDG), London (LHR), and Frankfurt (FRA) are among the top picks for outbound Canadian travellers.
“We are seeing high demand for European travel,” said airport spokesperson Sean Davidson, adding that over 160,000 passengers are expected on the airport’s busiest travel days.
This demand correlates with airlines’ decision-making. The increased capacity to Europe not only reflects Canadian outbound demand but also strategic interest from European travellers in visiting Canada.
Survey Shows Cultural Shift Among Travellers
A recent Europe Pulse Study conducted by Context Research Group for Destination Ontario revealed broader geopolitical motivations behind shifting travel patterns. Of the U.K., French, and German travellers surveyed, 62% said U.S. political conditions made them less likely to visit the United States.
Additionally, 75% expressed a sense of solidarity with Canada due to shared economic impacts from U.S. tariffs, and 87% viewed Canada as an appealing standalone destination, separate from its North American neighbor.
Notably, 54% of respondents said they would consider a trip to Ontario within two years, and half of them were specifically interested in visiting Toronto (YYZ).
Travel Networks Adapt to Evolving Preferences
With millions of passengers traveling through Canada’s largest hub, airlines are following the data: the appetite for domestic and European destinations is stronger than ever.
The redirection of resources away from U.S. routes signals a broader change in how travellers are making decisions, based not just on geography or weather, but on cultural and political perceptions.
Toronto Pearson’s (YYZ) summer season highlights this change, with more than 77,800 flights scheduled and international traffic on the rise, the airport remains at the center of a rapidly evolving global travel map.
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