Increasing Flight Connectivity Between Canada and Türkiye – A Small Business Perspective
Increasing Flight Connectivity Between Canada and Türkiye – A Small Business Perspective
Revised August 2026
Air connectivity between long-time partners and allies Canada and Türkiye, both members of the G20 and NATO, remains an important factor in strengthening bilateral trade, investment and business relationships.
Turkish Airlines has significantly expanded its direct service between Canada and Türkiye. In September 2026, the airline announced that its service would increase to 23 direct flights per week between the two countries. This represents a substantial improvement from the situation when this document was originally prepared in 2024.
The connectivity landscape has also improved with the entry of Air Transat into the Canada–Türkiye market. Air Transat launched year-round Toronto–Istanbul service in December 2025 and increased the service to three weekly flights in May 2026. It is also launching year-round Montréal–Istanbul service, with two flights per week beginning October 29, 2026. Together with Turkish Airlines’ expanded service, these developments represent a significant improvement in direct air connectivity between the two countries.
Air Transat and Turkish Airlines have also established interline and codeshare arrangements, providing travellers with greater access to destinations throughout Türkiye and to Turkish Airlines’ extensive network in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These arrangements make it easier for Canadian travellers and businesses to reach destinations beyond Istanbul and enhance the commercial value of the expanding air links between the two countries.
Improved air connectivity is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises. Affordable and reliable direct air service facilitates participation in trade missions and conferences, meetings with prospective partners and customers, and the development of new commercial relationships. It also supports the business travel required to establish and maintain cross-border supply chains.
The establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in 2019 provided an important framework for strengthening bilateral commercial ties. Since then, Canadian and Turkish businesses have expanded their engagement in a number of complementary sectors.
As Canada and Türkiye move toward a comprehensive free trade agreement and seek to build more resilient and secure supply chains, continued improvements in air connectivity will be important to supporting this growing commercial relationship.
The CTBC therefore encourages the Government of Canada to continue working with Türkiye to facilitate further expansion of passenger and cargo air services between the two countries.
Greater connectivity will support trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties and help ensure that Canadian and Turkish businesses can take full advantage of the opportunities created by an FTA.
About the Canada Türkiye Business Council:
The Canada Türkiye Business Council is a Canadian chartered, not-for-profit organization formed in 2001 in recognition of the importance of Türkiye as a trade and investment partner for Canada. It is dedicated to a variety of activities to enhance commercial relations between Canada and Türkiye. Membership provides preferred access to events, timely information on niche sectors of interest, and analysis of regulatory and policy changes affecting members’ businesses.
For additional information please contact:
Mike Ward
Executive Director
Canada Türkiye Business Council
613-806-6728