Air Canada to Launch Nonstop Service to Toronto at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Air Canada to Launch Nonstop Service to Toronto at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Louisville's airport gains new airline, first scheduled international route on major global carrier to top business market

Today the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) announces that Air Canada will launch new nonstop service between Louisville and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) beginning Wednesday, April 28, 2027. This route marks the first time a major global carrier has offered scheduled international jet service from SDF to a top business market and global hub in Canada. It will also be SDF's first daily international flight, operating every day during the peak summer months.

"This is a milestone moment for SDF and our community," said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville's airport. "For years, Toronto has been a high priority for us, linking our community to this major international business center. With the introduction of Air Canada into our market and their nonstop Toronto service, we're delivering exactly that - a daily connection during the busiest travel season, on a world-class global carrier, to one of North America's most important economic hubs. We are grateful to Air Canada for investing in Louisville, and to our community and business partners whose continued support makes growing air service at SDF possible. Milestones like this happen because our region works together."

The new service connects Louisville to Air Canada's Toronto hub, which serves more than 150 destinations across Canada and around the world. The route opens one-stop access from SDF to 19 Canadian cities and improves one-stop connectivity to dozens of major cities in Europe and Asia, giving business and leisure travelers in the region a new gateway to the world.

"Louisville is making history, and Air Canada is proud to be part of it," added Alexandre Lefevre, Vice President of Network Planning & Global Sales at Air Canada. "We are excited to add nonstop service between Louisville and Toronto, connecting customers to our global network through our Toronto hub. The new route will offer more convenient travel options for customers in both markets, and we look forward to welcoming them on board."

The connection works both ways. Travelers from Toronto and beyond will have an easy new way to discover Louisville, from the Kentucky Derby and the heart of Bourbon Country to region's famed attractions, a nationally recognized culinary scene and a thriving arts and music culture. For businesses, the route makes it easier to bring partners, clients and talent to the city.

"We've waited decades to have a regular international flight from a major carrier and some thought it would never happen, but today's announcement by Air Canada shows confidence in our city's growth and momentum," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. "This regular non-stop flight to Toronto unites two multicultural cities that share elite culinary scenes, outstanding parks and amazing waterfronts, and I know this will create jobs and bring even more visitors to Louisville."

The seasonal summer service runs from late April through the end of October. Flights will operate four times weekly, increasing to daily service from June through September. The route will be operated on a 76-seat CRJ-900 aircraft featuring Business Class and Economy seating with onboard amenities including WiFi and in-seat power. Tickets for the new service are now on sale and available at AirCanada.com or through the Air Canada app.

"Landing Air Canada and establishing our first structural international service is a game changer for SDF and for this city," said Anthony Gilmer, Vice President of Air Service Development and Strategic Marketing for the Airport Authority. "This is another massive step forward for the airport and a reflection of how far our community's air service has come. Given Toronto's size and the global reach of Air Canada's hub, it has long been the most logical first international market for SDF and one of our top targets. This route connects our region directly to one of North America's largest economic centers and global air hubs - helping Louisville do business with the world while also opening a new pipeline of visitors to this growing tourism destination. Our relationship with Air Canada began with a meeting 8 years ago and it's wonderful to see it culminating with them adding Louisville to their network."

"The team at SDF have been incredibly strategic and persistent in building Louisville's air service, developing relationships with carriers and making the business case for our city," said Cleo Battle, President and CEO of Louisville Tourism. "Bringing a new airline into the market is an extraordinary accomplishment and today's announcement gives us something we have never had before - the ability to market Louisville in an international market and say, 'You can get here nonstop.' Toronto gives us an exciting new audience for Bourbon City, but just as importantly, this is proof of what tourism can deliver for Louisville. When we build demand for the destination, we help create the conditions for investments like this that benefit visitors, residents and businesses alike."

This new service was supported by a risk-mitigation effort known as a Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG) from the Louisville Hotel Partnership. A MRG is a very common incentive used by communities across the country to help attract new air carriers and new routes into their market.

"The Louisville Hotel Partnership is proud to make a significant two-year financial commitment to help bring Louisville's first international air service to our city," said Eamon O'Brien, Chair of the Louisville Hotel Partnership and Chief Operating Officer for AJS Hotels. "Air Canada is making a substantial investment in this market, and we're proud to be a partner in helping launch and support a route that can drive incremental visitation, room nights and economic impact for Louisville."

Preclearance at Toronto

Progress continues on the SDF Next Program, a robust capital improvement initiative at Louisville's airport that includes a new four-gate concourse expansion with a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility that will support international passenger flights. Construction on that space is expected to begin in early 2027, but this new Toronto service on Air Canada does not depend on it. Toronto Pearson is one of 16 airports worldwide where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operates Preclearance, meaning all U.S.-bound travelers complete customs and immigration inspection in Toronto before boarding their flight. Flights then arrive at SDF as domestic flights and passengers can go directly to baggage claim or onto their final destination. To learn more about CBP Preclearance, visit cbp.gov/travel/preclearance.