Air Canada
is the largest carrier in Canada. The airline boasts a robust schedule across the North American country and beyond to destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America. Though its international network and presence lag behind those of its American competitors, the airline plays an important role in connecting its home nation to the world.
Air Canada has a limited presence in Japan, serving just two destinations in the country this summer: Tokyo and Osaka. However, it uses three different airports to connect its passengers to these destinations: Tokyo Narita Airport
, the more centrally located Tokyo Haneda Airport
, and Kansai International Airport in Osaka.
Photo: Brisbane Airport
Air Canada is reportedly considering schedule changes that would boost its presence in the transpacific market and add new Japanese destinations to its route map. Though it has not announced any official routes, the airline has indicated that several destinations could support nonstop service to Canada.
Air Canada shows interest in several Japanese markets
According to Japan Aviation Hub, Air Canada used its Investor Day held in mid-December 2024 to hint that the airline has several potential markets in Japan it could begin serving as part of its efforts to expand its international network. Though an official route launch announcement from the carrier has not followed this, it could indicate that future growth in transpacific flying is imminent.
Photo: Lee Yiu Tung | Shutterstock
The airline particularly pointed to Nagoya Chubu and Sapporo New Chitose as destinations it will consider opening in the coming years. Nagoya is located south of Tokyo and lacks nonstop flights to North America. Meanwhile, Sapporo New Chitose is located on the northern side of Japan and lacks direct North American service as well.
Regardless of which new Japanese services Air Canada launches in the next few years, if any, the carrier will likely start them from its west coast hub in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Photo: Air Canada
The only Japanese airports directly serving North America are Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka. Air Canada’s entrance to either new market could disrupt the transpacific market and make long-haul travel to North America more accessible for many Japanese citizens. Given the continued interest in Tokyo as a tourist destination, new route announcements could be coming in the next few years.

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Air Canada’s existing Japan network
Using data from Cirium, an aviation data analytics firm, it’s clear that Air Canada does not have a massive presence in Japanese markets. This month, the airline is only operating four nonstop routes to Japan from Canada: Montreal to Tokyo Narita, Vancouver to Tokyo Narita, Toronto to Tokyo Narita, and Toronto to Tokyo Haneda. All flights are operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Photo: Ronen Fefer | Shutterstock
In the summer, this schedule expands to include new services from Vancouver to Osaka and Toronto to Osaka. The aircraft utilized also changes: only Montreal to Tokyo Narita and Toronto to Tokyo Haneda retain the Boeing 777-300ER, while the rest of the routes are operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Edmonton wants nonstop services to Kumamoto Airport
Air Canada is not the only Canadian aviation company seeking increased service to Japan. Indeed, according to Kumanichi, there is also interest from airports, with Edmonton International in the province of Alberta interested in launching direct flights to Kumamoto Airport in southern Japan.
Photo: Edmonton Airports
Unlike Air Canada’s potential new commercial services, Edmonton Airport aims to launch charter services between the two destinations. It will then use these flights to gauge demand and profitability. If these metrics perform to expectations, regularly scheduled nonstop flights could begin as soon as 2027.
Part of the rationale behind Edmonton’s timing of the proposal revolves around the opening of a manufacturing facility for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Kumamoto. The facility is set to open in 2027 and will bring continued economic growth to the region and, ideally, heightened demand for air travel to the area.
Kumamoto News Web reports that this service would join five existing international routes from Kumamoto Airport. However, unlike these services, which connect the city to South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, this would be the airport’s first transpacific flight. The airport authorities aim to launch a direct charter service as soon as Summer 2025.
Air Canada was contacted on Sunday, January 12th but was not immediately available for comment.