Government announces incremental increase in Canada-China flights

Canada’s Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon has announced “an incremental increase” to the number of direct flights permitted between Canada and China.

The announcement builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing earlier this year, and the measure delivers on the Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap and supports the renewal of Canada’s economic relationship with China.

Canadian and Chinese airlines are now permitted:

• To incrementally increase direct passenger-combination flights
• Up to 20 all-cargo flights per week
• Reciprocal access to all points in each country

In making the announcement, MacKinnon, who is also Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, said: “Increasing passenger and cargo flights with China is a very positive step towards our trade diversification goals while also reinforcing our strong people-to-people ties. We are giving Canadian travellers more choice and more convenience while growing our commercial relationship with China.”

While Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu explained that: “Expanding direct air connections with China strengthens the trade corridors Canadian exporters rely on to reach global markets each day.”

And Minister Sidhu noted that the announcement “supports trade diversification, helps Canadian businesses move goods more efficiently, and advances Canada’s goal of increasing exports to China by 50%, while contributing to long‑term economic growth here at home.”

China is the second-largest single-country merchandise trading partner to Canada, with $124.8 billion worth of two-way merchandise trade in 2025.