Qantas requests unlimited flights to Canada under open-skies deal

Qantas Airways has requested unlimited passenger capacity on flights between Australia and Canada, taking advantage of a newly implemented open-skies agreement, according to a report in Aviation A2Z.

The development marks a significant change in international aviation rules and has the potential to transform transpacific travel choices.

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) continues to serve as Qantas’ central hub for flights to Canada, with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as the key destination.

Qantas has sought unlimited passenger rights to Canada for the next 99 years, a request that would apply to the airline, its subsidiaries such as Jetstar, and its codeshare partners, including American Airlines and WestJet.

The airline currently operates daily flights between Sydney and Vancouver using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The Australia-Canada open-skies deal, finalized in 2024, comes into effect with the Northern Summer 2026 schedule.

The deal eliminates prior limits on flight capacity, giving airlines from both nations the freedom to operate on designated routes.

Lifting capacity restrictions is likely to boost competition on Australia–Canada routes.

Currently, Air Canada flies from Sydney and Brisbane to Vancouver and Toronto, while Air New Zealand links Auckland with Vancouver.

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