Air Canada is set to expand its direct flight offerings between China and Canada starting in December, as reported by the news division of China's aviation authority on Wednesday. This announcement follows Ottawa's recent decision to lift a 2022 restriction that limited the number of flights Chinese airlines could operate to Canada.

According to CAAC News, the official publication of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the increase in flights is expected to enhance trade relations and stimulate economic growth between the two nations, while also aiding the recovery of air travel between China and Canada.

Currently, air traffic between the two countries remains significantly reduced, with flights approximately 90% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, despite the lifting of COVID-related travel restrictions.

Air Canada, which presently operates four weekly flights from Vancouver to Shanghai, will increase this to seven flights per week starting December 7. Additionally, the airline plans to resume daily flights from Vancouver to Beijing beginning January 15, 2025, as reported by CAAC News.

Chinese airlines are reportedly expediting their applications for more flight routes, according to the article.

Air Canada has not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding this development.

AIR SPACE CHALLENGE

In 2019, Air Canada operated up to 35 flights per week to China, including routes from Toronto, while Chinese airlines conducted 76 direct round-trip flights, as indicated by Cirium flight schedule data.

In 2022, China largely closed its borders to international travelers due to a strict zero COVID policy, leading to the suspension of numerous inbound flights.

In February 2022, Canada imposed a limit allowing Chinese carriers only six round trips per week into the country, with a ban on direct flights to Beijing.

These restrictions were lifted last Friday, according to an order from the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Canadian airlines face challenges compared to their Chinese counterparts, as they have been unable to utilize Russian airspace since the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Canadian flights from Toronto to China are becoming less appealing for commercial operations due to the lengthy travel times involved.

Chinese airlines have consistently opted for shorter northern routes over Russia's expansive airspace to reach Europe and North America, allowing them to capture a larger share of the market from non-Chinese competitors thanks to this strategic advantage.

FRICTIONS

In spite of ongoing trade tensions, Canada has this year sought to stabilize its bilateral relationship with China, pledging to engage in a "pragmatic" manner with the world's second-largest economy.

Following Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly's visit to China in July—the first by a Canadian foreign minister in seven years—Beijing has also agreed to restore normal relations with Ottawa.

The bilateral relationship, which began in 1970, soured in 2018 after the arrest of Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada, leading to the detention of two Canadians in China. Although all three individuals were eventually released, allegations of Chinese interference in Canada have continued to strain relations.

Recently, both nations have experienced increased trade tensions, particularly after Canada indicated it was seriously considering a ban on Chinese-made software in electric vehicles, among other measures aimed at addressing perceived overcapacity and security concerns.

In September, Beijing initiated an anti-discrimination investigation in response to Canada's restrictive measures, which include additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum products.