Air Canada Cargo is doubling down on agility and expansion—growing its global footprint while reaffirming its Canadian roots. Over the past year, the carrier has added a raft of new routes, forged strategic partnerships, and invested heavily in data and sustainability, all while adapting to the nuances of the domestic market.
“Our global network has grown substantially,” said Matthieu Casey, managing director – commercial at Air Canada Cargo. “We’ve launched new services to Beijing, Stockholm, Bangkok, Singapore and Tulum—and expanded frequencies to key trade hubs like Osaka, Seoul, Madrid, and several US cities. These new routes have strengthened key pathways for trade and commerce, enabling efficient and reliable transportation of goods across continents.”
These expansions go beyond simple route additions. The new Vancouver–Manila connection strengthens transpacific trade corridors, while the inclusion of Porto and Prague enhances east–west European flows. Regionally, new links such as Toronto–Port of Spain and Ottawa–London are bridging overlooked gaps in the North American and transatlantic freight matrix.
“The strength of our combination carrier model lies in how we integrate passenger belly space and freighter capacity,” Casey said. “This hybrid approach gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to market shifts.”
Resilience as a launchpad
While the carrier is expanding rapidly across continents, Casey emphasised the domestic foundation that enables it: “Canada certainly appears front and centre in our name, and we are indeed a proud Canadian carrier, but with a strong and diverse global network. Our robust international network, coupled with a complementary freighter network, provides diversification and the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, while building on our strong combined network.”
This strength is being matched by significant fleet investments. The airline is set to add over 90 new aircraft in the next three years, including more Dreamliners and the long-range Airbus A321XLR. The upgrades promise not only added capacity but up to 20 percent improvements in fuel efficiency.
“These acquisitions represent nearly half of our planned CAD$18 billion in capital investments over the next three years, which are strategically aimed at meeting the increasing demand for air travel and capturing a greater share of international markets,” Casey explained. “These investments are also expected to yield substantial operational savings, including a 15 to 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and maintenance costs compared to the composite average of our current fleet.”
Data driven
Much of this evolution is underpinned by digital transformation. Air Canada Cargo is leveraging data in every aspect of its service offerings, recognising the transformative power of data to drive innovation, boost efficiency, and deliver an unparalleled customer experience.
“Smart investments in data and a clear commercial direction are central to our business success, as they form a strategic pillar that’s reinforced across the organisation,” Casey highlighted. “As part of the Air Canada family, we place a strong emphasis on the importance of digitisation and data in empowering our customers—and us—to thrive.
“Our data-driven approach enables us to anticipate market trends, optimise logistics, and deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. It’s exciting to see how our continued investment in advanced analytics and technology strengthens our operational capabilities and reinforces our leadership in the airfreight industry.”
These innovations extend to the backend, where digitised operations and centralised decision-making—such as the creation of a cargo network control team—allow for near-instant responses to disruptions and shifting cargo priorities.
“The passion and dedication of our team in embracing digitisation and data-centric methodologies is truly inspiring. Together, we’re building a resilient foundation that supports our customers’ success and propels us toward sustained growth and excellence,” Casey stated. “I’m proud and excited to be part of this data-driven journey, where every decision is guided by insight, and every achievement reflects our shared commitment and collaboration.”
Strategic partnerships
A deepening partnership with Emirates SkyCargo, for instance, is giving Air Canada Cargo’s customers access to a vast global web of interline connections. These routes are now bookable through leading platforms such as CargoAi, cargo.one, CargoWise and WebCargo, making capacity easier to access than ever.
“We’ve made significant investments in advanced digital self-service technologies to better serve our customers,” Casey outlined. “These include sophisticated shipment tracking systems, regularly updated and customisable schedules, and an intuitive eBooking platform. Together, these tools provide customers with real-time information and empower them to manage their cargo needs with greater efficiency and ease.”
From an operational perspective, Air Canada Cargo remains committed to leveraging data and technology to drive efficiency and support informed decision-making. Through data analysis, the carrier has identified opportunities for improvement and implemented solutions that enhance service delivery, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
“Our focus on technological advancements and data-driven strategies ensures that Air Canada Cargo remains at the forefront of the airfreight industry, delivering reliable, efficient and innovative solutions to our global clientele,” Casey stated. “This cutting-edge technology is designed to deliver personalised, efficient service, while enhancing the overall customer experience and allowing our customer service agents to provide quicker responses.”
Competitive in 50 countries
As a combination carrier, Air Canada Cargo leverages the extensive network of its passenger flights globally, particularly across the Atlantic and throughout markets in North, Central and South America. This broad footprint allows the airline to offer a seamless integration of passenger and freighter services, complemented by its strategic interline partnerships and trucking networks.
“This ensures that we can effectively meet the diverse cargo needs of our customers around the world,” Casey stated. “Our passenger flights provide consistent capacity and global connectivity, which is vital for the timely delivery of cargo across continents. Complementing these passenger flights with dedicated freighter services allows us to adapt to specific customer requirements, offering capacity where it’s needed most.
“This combination carrier advantage guarantees that we can deliver tailored solutions across both high-frequency passenger routes and specialised freighter services. This enhances our efficiency and reliability, and allows us to meet the evolving needs of our customers in a dynamic global environment.
“Today, we connect 750 city pairs with widebody and freighter services between Europe and the Americas, including North, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean.
“Furthermore, we’re seeing success in 2025 with the global rollout of new analytics tools for our commercial teams, allowing them to engage in more effective conversations with our customers and quickly identify timely opportunities that fit their needs.”
