Air Canada Pulls the Plug on Ultra-Long Dubai Routes
Air Canada is ending its Vancouver–Dubai route after just two years, citing high costs and tough competition. The move signals how fragile ultra-long-haul flights can be and comes as the airline also grapples with labor unrest and strikes disrupting travelers.
Have you ever booked a far-flung flight and wondered if it would even last? Air Canada gave the answer, after only two years. In a move that surprised many, Air Canada recently announced it is ending its long-haul service between Vancouver (and perhaps other Canadian gateways) and Dubai.
Why it Matters?
When airlines cancel bold routes, it usually signals serious business pressures: fuel, demand, competition, and operational complexity. What makes this one especially interesting is how new the route was. Air Canada’s Vancouver-Dubai service launched in October 2023, aiming to tap into the booming Canada-UAE travel market. But by mid-2025, the airline has decided to pull it.
The Economics Behind the Cut
Flights to Dubai involve some serious logistics: high fuel burn, crew costs, overfly permits, payload constraints, and stiff competition from Gulf carriers like Emirates that already dominate the Dubai hub. Even if you have enough passengers, the weight limits may force you to fly with fewer seats or cargo.
When margins get tight, airlines will trim wherever the return is weakest and apparently Vancouver-Dubai fell into that bucket.
A Broader Signal
This isn’t just about Dubai. Air Canada’s withdrawal is a warning sign for other long, fringe routes. If the economics don’t align, even bold new services can vanish quickly. It’s a reminder that airlines must remain nimble and that passengers should temper expectations when they hear phrases like “nonstop over 14,000 km.”
It also comes at a tricky time for Air Canada. Beyond network changes, the airline has been dealing with labor unrest and operational turbulence.
At WhereFlight, we’ll keep tracking route launches, cancellations, and what they tell us about the future of air travel.
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