Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Canadians in Europe, during two consecutive summer seasons passenger traffic has weakened due to health restrictions, after the reopening of the borders Canadian airlines are preparing to resume operations in Spanish territory.
In 2019 between Spain and Canada 543,872 passengers were mobilized in 2,532 air operations, also in 2021 between both nations, the highest cargo movement was recorded with 9,558.37 tons, representing an increase of 58% over pre-COVID-19 levels.
Air Canada Group is the main Canadian air operator in Spain. In 2019 the company mobilized 327,492 passengers and 6,048.49 tons of cargo in 1,372 air operations. On the other hand, Air Transat is the airline that offers more routes and destinations to Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), and Malaga (AGP). The latter leisure company is the only air carrier that offers a transatlantic flight to the Costa del Sol Airport (AGP).
In 2019, Westjet landed for the first time in Spain with one of the most routes between Toronto (YYZ) – Barcelona (BCN) with three weekly flights in Boeing 767-300ER of 262 seats. The company mobilized 30,711 passengers in 124 air operations.
Schedule for the Canada-Spain summer season
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Barcelona (BCN)
This is the main route between Spain and Canada. In 2019 it mobilized 191,273 passengers. The 2022 boreal summer season will offer more than 31,000 seats per month on more than 100 flights.
Westjet
From May 13 the company starts again its seasonal service to Spain initially with a frequency of three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). And as of June 7 it increases to four times per week, with an extra operation on Friday, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight WS14 YYZ 22:15 – BCN 11:50+1
- Flight WS15 BCN 13:50 – YYZ 16:30
The flights will be operated in Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with 320 seats in three classes (16 Business/28 Premium Economy/276 Economy). Westjet increases its offer of seats and frequencies on this route by 58% and 33.3% respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Air Transat
As of May 3, the leisure airline reinstates its operation on this route for the boreal summer season, will have a twice-weekly frequency (Tuesday and Saturday), and will be operated on Airbus A330-200 aircraft of 332/345 passengers, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight TS248 YYZ 22:35 – BCN 12:25+1
- Flight TS249 BCN 14:05 – YYZ 17:15
Air Canada
As of May 4, the largest Canadian airline restarts operations on this route with a frequency of five times per week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), flights will be operated in Airbus A330-300 with 297 seats in three classes (32 Business/24 Premium Economy/241 Economy), the schedules are as follows:
- Flight AC820 YYZ 20:10 – BCN 10:05+1
- Flight AC821 BCN 11:45 – YYZ 15:00
Montreal (YUL) – Barcelona (BCN)
This is the second main route between Spain and Canada, in 2019 mobilized 147,773 passengers, for the boreal summer season 2022 will be offered more than 21,000 seats per month on more than 70 flights.
Air Transat
As of April 13, this route restarts with a weekly frequency (Wednesdays) and as of June 7 increases to three times a week, with an extra operation on Mondays and Fridays, the flights will be operated in Airbus A330-200, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight TS260 YUL 22:00 – BCN 11:15+1
- Flight TS261 BCN 13:15 – YUL 15:40
Air Canada
As of May 6th, Air Canada will resume operations on this route with a frequency of five times per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), the flights will be operated in Airbus A330-300, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight AC822 YUL 19:00 – BCN 08:20+1
- Flight AC823 BCN 13:15 – YUL 15:50
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Madrid (MAD)
In 2019, 122,334 passengers were mobilized, for the 2022 boreal summer season, more than 13,000 seats per month will be offered on more than 45 flights.
Air Canada
As of May 19, it restarts operations on this route with a frequency of five times per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday), flights will be operated on Airbus A330-300, this service will be available throughout the year, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight AC820 YYZ 21:40 – MAD 11:05+1
- Flight AC821 MAD 12:45 – YYZ 15:20
Montreal (YUL) – Madrid (MAD)
In 2019, 25,244 passengers were mobilized, for the 2022 boreal summer season, more than 5,300 seats per month will be offered on more than 25 flights.
Air Transat
As of April 5, this route restarts with a weekly frequency (Tuesdays) and as of June 12 increases to three times per week, with an extra operation on Fridays and Sundays, the flights will be operated in Airbus A321LR of 199 seats, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight TS254 YUL 21:50 – MAD 10:45+1
- Flight TS261 MAD 12:30 – YUL 14:30
Montreal (YUL) – Malaga (AGP)
In 2019 55,711 passengers were mobilized, for the boreal summer season 2022 will be offered more than 5,900 seats per month in more than 15 flights, this is the only link to North America from the Costa del Sol Airport (AGP).
Air Transat
This is the only route that the airline operates throughout the year, it currently operates a twice-weekly frequency (Tuesdays and Saturdays) in Airbus A321LR, for June is expected to increase capacity with the introduction of the Airbus A330-200, the schedules are as follows:
- Flight TS384 YUL 23:40 – AGP 12:40+1
- Flight TS385 AGP 14:25 – YUL 16:20
The statistical data were obtained through Aena Estadísticas and the Cirium platform.
See also: Air Canada resumes 34 long-haul routes for the 2022 boreal summer season
