Air Canada has confirmed it will drop its summer-season flights from Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) to Tel Aviv and Delhi in 2026 and shift capacity to its Toronto Pearson mega-hub. The carrier says the decision will free wide-body aircraft for higher-yield trans-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific markets while giving travellers “seamless one-stop connectivity” via Toronto.
The move underscores Air Canada’s post-pandemic network strategy: concentrate long-haul operations at YYZ, where slot availability, alliance partners and premium-lounges support higher business-class demand. Passengers in Quebec will still be able to reach Israel and India, but only through Toronto connections, adding two to four hours of travel time.
![Air Canada to axe Montreal–Tel Aviv and Delhi routes for summer 2026]()
Travel-management companies expect airfare volatility in Montreal next summer. Competing carriers—Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways—may adjust pricing to capture displaced traffic. Corporations with Middle East and India supply chains should review their contract fares and minimum-spend clauses now, industry analysts advise.
Air Canada continues to face cost pressures after this year’s flight-attendant strike and a series of NAV Canada staffing-related delays. Concentrating long-haul flying at Pearson could improve crew utilisation and on-time performance, but Montreal’s tourism board warns the city risks losing international-gateway status if the trend persists.
The move underscores Air Canada’s post-pandemic network strategy: concentrate long-haul operations at YYZ, where slot availability, alliance partners and premium-lounges support higher business-class demand. Passengers in Quebec will still be able to reach Israel and India, but only through Toronto connections, adding two to four hours of travel time.
Travel-management companies expect airfare volatility in Montreal next summer. Competing carriers—Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways—may adjust pricing to capture displaced traffic. Corporations with Middle East and India supply chains should review their contract fares and minimum-spend clauses now, industry analysts advise.
Air Canada continues to face cost pressures after this year’s flight-attendant strike and a series of NAV Canada staffing-related delays. Concentrating long-haul flying at Pearson could improve crew utilisation and on-time performance, but Montreal’s tourism board warns the city risks losing international-gateway status if the trend persists.
