CANBERRA- Air Canada (AC) is expanding its cargo operations for the 2026–27 winter season, adding freighter services from its Toronto global hub to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Monterrey in Mexico, and Panama City in Panama. The expansion will increase dedicated cargo capacity across major transatlantic and Latin American trade routes.
Air Canada Cargo, the freight division of Air Canada, will introduce the three routes between October 25 and October 29, 2026, with different weekly frequencies for each destination. The new services will strengthen connections to manufacturing and distribution centres while complementing the airline’s existing passenger network and cargo operations across the Americas and Europe.
New Freighter Routes for Air Canada
The three destinations will enter Air Canada Cargo’s winter schedule on separate dates. Panama City will receive up to two freighter flights per week from October 25, followed by three weekly flights to Monterrey from October 26. The twice-weekly service to Amsterdam will begin on October 29.
Toronto will serve as the departure hub for the new services, allowing the airline to connect Canadian freight with international markets through its cargo network.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) will provide an additional dedicated link to Europe, while Monterrey (MTY) and Panama City (PTY) will expand access to important commercial markets in Mexico and Central America.
The Amsterdam route will complement Air Canada’s existing passenger flights to the Dutch capital.
By adding freighter capacity, the airline can offer shippers more options for transporting large pallets and other cargo that require dedicated main-deck space, particularly during the winter period when transatlantic capacity can become more constrained.
Air Canada’s Cargo Network Expansion
Air Canada operates six Boeing 767-300 freighters and also transports cargo in the holds of its passenger aircraft.
The dedicated freighter fleet allows the carrier to serve cargo markets that may not receive sufficient capacity from its passenger schedule alone.
The new Latin American services will build on existing freighter operations to Mexico City (MEX) and Guadalajara (GDL).
Together with the Amsterdam connection, the additions will create further routing opportunities for freight moving between Europe and Latin American destinations, including Quito, Lima, Bogotá, and Mexico City.
Matthieu Casey, Air Canada’s managing director of commercial for cargo, said the Amsterdam service would strengthen the airline’s European network by providing dedicated main-deck capacity when transatlantic cargo space is more limited.
He also highlighted the potential for the new European and Latin American connections to improve two-way freight flows and give customers access to more markets through the airline’s wider network.
Cargo Revenue Growth for Air Canada
Air Canada’s network expansion follows a strong performance in its cargo business during the first half of 2026.
Cargo revenue increased 28.4% year over year to $229.8 million in the second quarter, which ended June 30. For the first six months of the year, revenue rose 16% to $413 million.
Management attributed the gains primarily to higher cargo yields and favourable freight pricing, particularly on international routes.
Higher carrier surcharges also contributed to the increase, as airlines responded to rising jet fuel costs following hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February.
For comparison, Delta Air Lines (DL) and United Airlines (UA), which do not operate dedicated freighter fleets, reported second-quarter cargo revenue of $294 million and $571 million, respectively, Freight Waves flagged.
Both US airlines, however, operate substantially larger global widebody passenger networks.
The additional destinations will give Air Canada Cargo more dedicated capacity to serve international freight demand while broadening the range of markets accessible through Toronto. The winter expansion also positions the airline to offer shippers more routing flexibility across Europe and Latin America.
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