MONTREAL – Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau says 2026 will be a “transitional year” as the airline receives the majority of its new fleet deliveries and absorbs cost pressures.
He says the decision to expand Air Canada’s fleet will help strengthen the airline for years to come. The company says it’s adding at least 35 aircraft to its fleet.
Rousseau made the comments as the airline reported $296 million in net income in its fourth-quarter, compared with a loss of $644 million during the same period a year earlier.
Its diluted earnings per share amounted to $1.00 during the period, compared with a loss per share of $1.81 last year.
Earlier this week, Air Canada announced it’s ordering eight Airbus A350-1000 wide-body aircraft as the airline plans to expand its non-stop flights from Canada to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Chief commercial officer Mark Galardo says delivery of the aircraft is expected to begin in 2030.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2026.
Companies in this story: (TSX: AC)
