Ottawa reviews proposed Air Canada–United joint-venture update

Transport Canada is reviewing proposed changes to the joint business arrangement between Air Canada and United Airlines for Canada–U.S. flights.

The airlines have operated under the arrangement since 2022, coordinating some flight schedules, ticket prices, marketing, sales and revenue management. The companies have now notified the transport minister that they want to update it.

Transport Canada said October 16 that its public-interest assessment will examine economic effects, competition and possible challenges. Consultations will include airlines, consumer organizations and other stakeholders.

Public comments are open through the federal Let’s Talk Transportation portal until November 15.

The review is not an approval. Under the Canada Transportation Act, the minister can authorize an airline joint venture, authorize it with conditions or refuse it after balancing public-interest considerations and competition effects.

Illustrative airport image; it does not show either airline. Photo by Mantas Sinkevičius via Unsplash; cropped and resized.