Shannon Airport and Air Canada today announced a new non-stop service between Shannon and Toronto.
Launching in June 2027, the new route provides travellers with the only direct connection to Canada from Shannon.
The service will operate three times weekly between Shannon Airport (SNN) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), from 10 June to 3 October 2027, departing Shannon on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It will be operated by Air Canada’s new Airbus A321XLR, bringing the airline’s latest aircraft and onboard experience to the Shannon-Toronto route.
Through Air Canada’s Toronto global hub, passengers will also benefit from convenient onward connections to over 150 destinations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, South America and beyond.
Ray O’Driscoll, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said: “When an airline the scale of Air Canada chooses Shannon, it sends a powerful signal about the strength of the West of Ireland market and its international potential. Securing this service has been a key priority for us and reflects years of work by our Aviation Development team.
This new Air Canada service is set to deliver a significant economic boost for Ireland, opening the door to more Canadian visitors than ever before and driving tourism growth across the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and destinations nationwide. The route further strengthens the deep economic ties between Ireland and Canada, supporting business, trade and investment while creating new opportunities for both countries. We are delighted to welcome Air Canada to Shannon and look forward to building a long and successful partnership.”
Bláithín O’Donnell, Air Canada, Ireland said: “Demand for travel to Canada from Irish holidaymakers has been growing consistently over the past number of years, and this new Shannon-Toronto service opens a whole new world of transatlantic travel possibilities for travellers in the West and South of Ireland.
From exploring vibrant cities such as Toronto, with easy access to Niagara Falls, Algonquin National Park and the Thousand Islands, to travelling onwards to Western Canada for a rail journey through the Rocky Mountains, exploring the wineries of the Okanagan Valley or experiencing the spectacular wildlife of the Pacific coast, Canada has so much to offer Irish travellers. This new service will make it easier for travellers from the Shannon region to discover these experiences and create their own Canadian adventures.”
Featuring Air Canada’s new Glowing Hearted cabin, the A321XLR will offer Signature Class seats with lie-flat beds alongside Economy Class seats, giving travellers across the region the opportunity to experience Air Canada’s latest long-haul product. Across both cabins, customers will enjoy complimentary inflight meals and bar service, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members, alongside next-generation inflight entertainment screens with complimentary “Family Together” seating and kids’ packs.
In addition, European travellers connecting to the United States via Canada can take advantage of U.S. Customs and immigration preclearance rules in Toronto, enabling them to arrive in the U.S. as a domestic passenger. Customers can also benefit from Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty programme, which enables members to earn and redeem points across Air Canada’s extensive network and a wide range of partner airlines.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “I am delighted that Shannon Airport and Air Canada will facilitate a new direct service to Toronto in 2027. Securing this new route is of strategic importance and shows the determination of The Shannon Airport Group to expand the services on offer, providing increased connectivity and choice to travellers wishing to fly from Shannon Airport.
Shannon Airport has enjoyed a fantastic summer, offering more routes than ever before and seeing increased passenger numbers compared to last year. This announcement builds on that performance, strengthens long haul connectivity from the West of Ireland, and will bolster Shannon Airport’s significant contribution to the local, regional and national economies.”
Deputy Crowe, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Aviation and Chairman of the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, said the announcement was a major vote of confidence in Shannon and the wider region.
“This is fantastic news for Shannon Airport and another really significant addition to its transatlantic network.
“Toronto is a hugely important destination. There are very strong family, tourism and business links between the West of Ireland and Canada and I have no doubt there will be strong demand for this service in both directions.
“Canada is also an extremely valuable tourism market for Ireland. Canadian visitors tend to stay longer, travel beyond Dublin and spend significantly while they are here, so having them arrive directly into Shannon will bring benefits right along the Wild Atlantic Way and throughout the wider region.
“The business potential of this route is equally important. Toronto is one of North America’s major economic and financial centres and having a direct air link from Shannon makes the Mid-West and West of Ireland that bit more accessible for investment, trade and business travel.
“As Fianna Fáil’s Aviation Spokesperson and Chairman of the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, I have consistently made the case that growing Shannon’s international connectivity has to be a national priority.
“Shannon has been performing extremely strongly in recent years and this announcement shows that international airlines see real potential for further growth at the airport.
“I want to congratulate Ray O’Driscoll and his team at Shannon Airport on securing this route. Attracting a carrier of Air Canada’s scale is a significant achievement and I know a huge amount of work will have gone on behind the scenes to make today’s announcement possible.
“The next task is to get firmly behind the route and make it a success. If Shannon–Toronto performs strongly, it strengthens the case for Air Canada and other airlines to further expand their presence at Shannon in the years ahead.”
Welcoming the announcement, Tulla-based Fianna Fail Minister of state Timmy Dooley says it will provide an important new transatlantic connection for Clare and the wider region.
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