On April 20 local time, Transport Canada issued a notice announcing an increase in passenger and cargo flight capacity between China and Canada. Each side will be allowed to operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, while restrictions on all domestic points in both countries will be fully lifted.

This means the long-sluggish China–Canada market may finally see a meaningful increase in flights. Alongside China–US routes, China–Canada remains one of the slowest major international markets to recover. More flights could help bring down persistently high airfares, though they may also put pressure on airline yields.

At present, six mainland Chinese carriers operate China–Canada flights: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Hainan Airlines. Capital Airlines, which served Canada before the pandemic, has yet to resume the route. On the Canadian side, Air Canada remains the only carrier currently operating flights.

It was not until October 25, 2024, that Canada removed the restriction barring direct flights from Beijing to Canada, allowing Chinese and Canadian carriers to expand services to up to 24 flights per week each. Even so, that level remains far below pre-pandemic volumes. Before COVID-19, weekly flights between China and Canada exceeded 70.

Notably, Air Canada has yet to fully utilize its previously approved capacity. Industry sources said that because flights still need to avoid Russian airspace, and given limited crew and aircraft resources, the carrier has been prioritizing more profitable transatlantic routes. Maintaining limited capacity on China–Canada services also helps sustain current fare levels.

Overall recovery on the China–Canada corridor remains weak. According to the latest data from VariFlight, the market has recovered to just 31.8% of pre-pandemic levels, with Chinese carriers accounting for nearly 70% of total capacity.