Ponta Delgada Airport strengthens international connectivity with the arrival of Air Canada
• New airline strengthens the link between the Azores and Canada
• New service helps diversify markets and reduce seasonality
• Connectivity boosts tourism, business and family ties
ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal | VINCI Airports, Turismo de Portugal and Visit Azores continue to invest in strengthening the Azores’ international connectivity with the arrival of Air Canada at João Paulo II Airport, Ponta Delgada.
The new direct flight from Toronto significantly strengthens the archipelago’s link with Canada, a strategic market with strong historical, cultural and family ties to the Azores, joining the service already operated by Azores Airlines and soon by WestJet.
The flights will be operated with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, configured with Economy and Premium Economy cabins, three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) between 11 June and 5 September 2026.
Air Canada’s arrival was marked with an official ceremony at Ponta Delgada Airport, attended by Berta Cabral, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure; Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA | VINCI Airports; Nuno Leandro, President of Visit Azores; and Rocky Lo, Managing Director, International Sales at Air Canada, to celebrate the launch of this new service.
This new offer reinforces the joint strategy of ANA, VINCI Airports and Visit Azores to develop new routes and attract new carriers, helping to broaden and diversify the source markets of the Azores and Portugal, while driving the region’s economic development and enhancing its appeal.
Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, said:
“The arrival of Air Canada and WestJet represents a very significant step in strengthening the Azores’ international connectivity, particularly on the transatlantic axis. These new connections mean more choice for Azoreans, a contribution to the tourism sector, market diversification and reduced seasonality. This development also reflects ANA | VINCI Airports’ commitment to the Azores, promoting greater accessibility, more opportunities and closer ties between the territories and the world.”
Berta Cabral, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, stressed that “this is Air Canada’s first direct link to the Azores, totalling 38 rotations and 6,422 arriving seats, making Ponta Delgada the airline’s third destination in Portugal. In 2025, Canada was the 5th largest foreign source market, growing 11.4% compared with 2024 and reaching 221,223 overnight stays. The Government of the Azores, the national Government, ANA-VINCI Airports, Visit Azores, Turismo de Portugal and industry stakeholders maintain a coordinated strategy to promote and develop air connectivity, in order to meet short-, medium- and long-term challenges.”
ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, the company responsible for managing 10 airports in Portugal, became part of the VINCI Airports network in September 2013. It manages airports on the mainland (Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Beja), in the Azores (Ponta Delgada, Horta, Flores and Santa Maria) and in Madeira (Madeira and Porto Santo).
