The first direct air route between Wales and Canada in nearly 20-years has been confirmed. In a significant boost to Welsh Government-owned Cardiff Airport a new four times a week service to Toronto Pearson International Airport will launch next May. It will be operated by Canada's leading low-cost carrier WestJet.
The route is the first between the two countries since the ending of a scheduled service operated by former airline Zoom back in 2008. The new service will use a Boeing 737-8MAX, with outbound capacity for 154 passengers and 174 for inbound flights (which will be higher due to a lesser fuel requirement).
For the summer season next year the route is expected to attract between 20,000 to 30,000 passengers. The service will not operate during the winter season.
Chief executive of Cardiff Airport Jon Bridge said: "We're incredibly proud that WestJet has chosen Cardiff Airport as a new º£½ÇÊÓƵ destination for summer 2026.
"This new Toronto route marks an exciting milestone in our growth and a major step forward in reconnecting Wales with North America. It will strengthen tourism, create new opportunities for trade and investment, and showcase Wales on the global stage.
"WestJet's confidence in Cardiff reflects the growing demand for international travel from Wales, the south west of England, and the Midlands and we look forward to building a long-term partnership that delivers lasting benefits for both nations."
Chris White-DeVries, senior airport affairs manager, WestJet, said: "We're thrilled to bring WestJet's friendly, affordable and reliable service to Wales for the first time. Cardiff is a vibrant capital with a proud and rich history, and we see huge potential in connecting it directly with Toronto, a key gateway to North America. This route will make it easier than ever for Canadian travellers to discover Wales' stunning coastlines and culture, while giving guests across Wales and western England seamless access to Eastern Canada and beyond."
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "This is welcome news for passengers, businesses and our tourism industries, both in Wales and Canada. With good connections to other Canadian cities, the new Toronto route will open up new economic opportunities for Wales in North America.
"We have around 35 Canadian companies in Wales, employing around 6,500 people, while Canada is an export market worth over £300m a year. Ahead of our Wales Investment Summit on December 1st, this is a positive example of how we are opening up international opportunities for people and businesses in Wales."
The new route, which will launch on May 23, is being backed with financial support from Cardiff Airport, the value of which isn't being disclosed.
The airport said: "We view this as a partnership designed to be financially beneficial for both parties over the length of the agreement. The proposal went through the same scrutiny as any commercial agreement given to the airport, and we're confident it supports the long-term sustainability of the route."
Cardiff Airport is facing a legal challenge from Bristol Airport over plans to provide subsidy support of £205m over the next decade to the Rhoose-based airport, for which the first allocation of £20m has already been released.
The Cardiff Bay administration said the funding is designed to support a number of activities including securing new routes to get passengers up to two million a year by 2035, and growing non terminal related incomes, such as from aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul.
An appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal lodged by Bristol Airport will be heard in February. The Welsh Government for this year and next has approved funding of up to £2m to the airport to commission specialist aviation legal and technical advice.
Latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority for the year to the end of July, 2025, shows the airport handled 907,000 passengers, up from 872,000 a year earlier. The airport is still below its pre-pandemic annual passenger number of 1.6 million.
