Air Canada Welcomes Expanded Air Transport Agreement Between Canada and Vietnam

- Airline seeks to launch scheduled service to Ho Chi Minh City MONTRÉAL, Sept. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — asserted

Air Canada today welcomed the Government of Canada’s announcement of an expanded Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Vietnam. asserted

Reflecting the strong relationship between the two Governments and the aim of further strengthening commercial and cultural ties between the two countries, Air Canada plans to work with the relevant authorities to complete the approvals and procedures required to launch scheduled service to Ho Chi Minh City in 2027. asserted

The announcement follows the State visit from His Excellency Tô Lâm, General Secretary and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and today’s meeting in Ottawa between representatives of both countries, which marks an important step toward opening scheduled commercial air service between Canada and Vietnam. asserted

We welcome this expanded Air Transport Agreement and look forward to obtaining the necessary government approvals to begin service to Ho Chi Minh City,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada. asserted

Our exports to Vietnam reached over $1.3 billion in 2025, up nearly 30% from the year before. asserted

By expanding our air transport agreement, we’re making it easier for people and goods to move between our countries, opening new doors for businesses and diversifying Canada’s trade,” said The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, P.C. M.P., Minister of International Trade for the Government of Canada. asserted

“The Canada-ASEAN Business Council welcomes Air Canada’s intention to launch scheduled service to Ho Chi Minh City in 2027. asserted

Direct air connectivity between Canada and Vietnam would be an important step in strengthening commercial ties, supporting tourism and investment, and helping Canadian businesses deepen their engagement in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets.” asserted

Future service remains subject to receipt of the necessary government approvals and completion of applicable processes to operate in Vietnam. asserted

About Air Canada Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. asserted

Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally on six continents. asserted

It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. asserted

Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. asserted

Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, and experiences. asserted

Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. asserted

Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. asserted

Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC). asserted

Media Resources: CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. asserted

Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. asserted

These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. uncertain

Forward-looking statements are identified using terms and phrases such as “preliminary”; “anticipate”; “believe”; “could”; “estimate”; “expect”; “intend”; “may”; “plan”; “predict”; “project”; “will”; “would”; and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions including those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties, which are amplified in the current environment. uncertain

Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business of Air Canada. asserted

Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed below. uncertain

Factors that may cause results to differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements include economic conditions, statements or actions by governments and uncertainty relating to the imposition of (or threats to impose) tariffs on Canadian exports or imports and their resulting impacts on the Canadian, North American and global economies and travel demand, geopolitical conditions such as the military conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, Air Canada’s ability to successfully achieve or sustain positive net profitability, industry and market conditions and the demand environment, competition, Air Canada’s dependence on technology, cybersecurity risks, interruptions of service, climate change and environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena and factors arising from anthropogenic sources), Air Canada’s dependence on key suppliers (including government agencies and other stakeholders supporting airport and airline operations), employee and labour relations and costs, Air Canada’s ability to successfully implement appropriate strategic and other important initiatives (including Air Canada’s ability to manage operating costs), energy prices, Air Canada’s ability to pay its indebtedness and maintain or increase liquidity, Air Canada’s dependence on regional and other carriers, Air Canada’s ability to attract and retain required personnel, epidemic diseases, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, terrorist acts, war, Air Canada’s ability to successfully operate its loyalty program, casualty losses, Air Canada’s dependence on Star Alliance® and joint ventures, Air Canada’s ability to preserve and grow its brand, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties, currency exchange fluctuations, limitations due to restrictive covenants, insurance issues and costs, and pension plan obligations as well as the factors identified in Air Canada’s public disclosure file available at www.sedarplus.ca and, in particular, those identified in section 18 “Risk Factors” of Air Canada’s 2025 MD&A. Air Canada has and continues to establish targets, make commitments and assess the impact regarding climate change, and related initiatives, plans and proposals that Air Canada and other stakeholders (including government, regulatory and other bodies) are pursuing in relation to climate change and carbon emissions. uncertain

The achievement of our commitments and targets depends on many factors, including the combined actions of governments, industry, suppliers and other stakeholders and actors, as well as the development and implementation of new technologies. asserted

In particular, our 2030 carbon emission-related targets and our related 2050 aspiration are ambitious and heavily dependent on new technologies, renewable energies and the availability of a sufficient supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which continues to present serious challenges. asserted

In addition, Air Canada has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, costs to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions and to comply with environmental sustainability legislation and regulation and other standards and accords. asserted

The precise nature of future binding or non-binding legislation, regulation, standards and accords, on which local and international stakeholders are increasingly focusing, cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, nor can their financial, operational or other impact. asserted

There can be no assurance of the extent to which any of our climate goals will be achieved or that any future investments that we make in furtherance of achieving our climate goals will produce the expected results or meet increasing stakeholder environmental, social and governance expectations. asserted

Moreover, future events could lead Air Canada to prioritize other nearer-term interests over progressing toward our current climate goals based on business strategy, economic, regulatory and social factors, and potential pressure from investors, activist groups or other stakeholders. uncertain

If we are unable to meet or properly report on our progress toward achieving our climate change goals and commitments, we could face adverse publicity and reactions from investors, customers, advocacy groups or other stakeholders, which could result in reputational harm or other adverse effects to Air Canada. uncertain

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this news release represent Air Canada’s expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. asserted

However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. asserted