What is starting out as a reduction in Air Canada flights from North Bay to Toronto is resulting in the flights taking off and leaving the city all together.
The airline is suspending its flights to North Bay, effective Jan. 30, 2026.
The announcement was made in a release detailing regional flight changes, including an increase in flights from Sudbury to Toronto.
“As part of these network adjustments, Air Canada is also taking the difficult decision to suspend operations to Bathurst and to North Bay effective Jan. 30, 2026, for commercial viability reasons,” states the release. “Air Canada will implement these suspensions in line with its obligations under the Canada Transportation Act.”
Mayor Peter Chirico says the City of North Bay is deeply disappointed by Air Canada’s decision to suspend service at Jack Garland Airport at the end of January.
“This change will have a real impact on our residents, businesses, and visitors who rely on reliable air connections,” he says. “Air service is essential for regional transportation, economic development, and tourism. The loss of this service weakens this region’s connectivity and competitiveness. For years, our community has supported Air Canada, and we expected more from our national carrier. We will continue to support existing air services and the hundreds of aviation employees in North Bay, while advocating for restored service and exploring new partnerships to keep our region connected and competitive.”
Bryan Avery, airport manager, says they’re devastated by the airline’s decision, especially given the nearly nine decade long relationship between the community, airport, and Air Canada.
He says the decision will have a negative impact on the community and travellers alike.
“It is unfortunate that Air Canada no longer has the ability to provide meaningful air service to regions they previously served across Canada, operating increasingly larger aircraft with less frequency across their network. Today’s announcement reinforces the importance and need for collaborative initiatives that support regional air connectivity across Canada. Through collective efforts, especially by the Government of Canada, essential regional air connectively can be protected and rebuilt.”
Avery adds expanding on programs that have seen federal funding yield positive results, as well as expansion of such programs and a uniform national approach would “immediately support regional air connectivity and the air carriers who are able to provide service on such routes.”
He says they’re committed to the airlines and businesses that continue to operate every day at YYB, connecting travellers, shipping freight, supporting emergency response, conducting flight training, facilitating medical transportation, and much more.
“We remain optimistic about the future of air service and the aerospace industry in North Bay,” Avery says. “We need a national strategy, and government investment, to ensure that all communities continue to have regional sir service and the opportunities it enables for growth across all sectors.”
Pauline Rochefort, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming, says the city deserves better.
“Make no mistake, this is a united front when it comes to restoring North Bay’s regional air service by Air Canada,” says Rochefort. “It’s not the first time Air Canada has made similar decisions — in fact it has been a common trend over the past seven years. North Bay deserves better. In concert with Jack Garland Airport and the City of North Bay, as the federal representative for this riding, my team will explore all avenues of advocacy to support the aviation and tourism industries in North Bay affected by this suspension of service.”
The Sudbury flights, meantime, will increase from 2 to 3 daily flights, year-round, effective Feb. 1, 2026, with seat capacity increasing by 50%.
Earlier this month, North Bay’s airport manager told council Air Canada was reducing the number of flights from once daily, seven days a week, to once daily, four days a week, effective Nov. 1.
