Air Canada cargo planes soon to fly from Mississauga’s Pearson Airport to Europe

A huge new cargo plane soon to be flying for Air Canada out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga will allow the country’s flagship carrier to add freighter service to Germany, Turkey and Spain in the next month or so.

Air Canada officials say the impending addition of a second Boeing 767-300ER freighter will allow them to begin delivering huge cargo loads in May to Frankfurt, Cologne, Istanbul and Madrid, in addition to St. John’s, Nfld.

“The entry into service of our second freighter is yet another exciting milestone in the growth of our freighter network and provides more options and services to the cargo community,” Matthieu Casey, managing director, commercial-cargo for Air Canada, said in a March 30 news release.

The new routes, company officials note, complement Air Canada Cargo’s regular freighter service to Latin American cities.

Prior to the new European locations coming on board with Air Canada Cargo, the carrier will begin cargo service to Halifax beginning April 19.

Starting April 19, Air Canada Cargo’s Atlantic Canada schedule out of Pearson includes five flights per week to Halifax and, as of May 1, six weekly flights to St. John’s.

The European schedule from Pearson, starting in May, includes runs to Frankfurt (two flights per week), Cologne (one flight), Istanbul (one flight) and Madrid (three flights per week).

Air Canada Cargo is the country’s largest air cargo provider as measured by cargo capacity, the carrier notes. It has a presence in more than 50 countries and runs international hubs in Chicago, London and Frankfurt in addition to its hubs on Canadian soil in Mississauga, Montreal and Vancouver. 

Air Canada has a long history of transporting goods around the world via freighter aircraft that dates back to 1937. And the air cargo business played a key role in keeping revenue flowing for Pearson Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just last month, the carrier announced it had completed a $16-million plan to expand and enhance Air Canada Cargo’s cold chain handling capabilities at Pearson.

The new facility allows for more shipments of pharmaceuticals, fresh food and other perishables to destinations around the world.