Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat is set to enhance its European offerings with the introduction of several unique seasonal routes starting in June 2026. This expansion positions Air Transat as the eighth-largest operator between North America and Europe, reflecting a significant increase in services compared to previous years.
According to data from Cirium Diio, Air Transat plans a 7% increase in flights for July 2026, raising its total European routes from 35 in July 2025 to 40 next July. The airline’s average frequency will be approximately five weekly departures; notably, 30 of these routes will operate with less than daily service.
New Routes and Seasonal Operations
Among the highlights of Air Transat’s expansion is the new route from Toronto to Istanbul, which will operate with two to three flights per week. This addition marks a significant step in Air Transat’s growth strategy, which includes the introduction of four new routes, with half being entirely new to the airline’s network.
Starting on June 2, 2026, Air Transat will commence a weekly service from Quebec City to Nantes using an A321LR aircraft. This route will be complemented by Air Canada’s anticipated Montreal-Nantes flights launching next year. Another new route, from Toronto to Tirana, will begin on June 18, 2026, also featuring a weekly seasonal operation on an Airbus A330-200.
Additionally, Air Transat will revive its Quebec City to Marseille route, which will operate weekly from May 23 through early October. This service had previously been offered in 2013. The long-standing route from Toronto to Lamezia Terme will continue, catering to the Italian Canadian diaspora, which is significant in the Greater Toronto area.
Market Insights and Booking Trends
The new route to Tirana represents an opportunity in a growing market. Data indicates that over 240,000 passengers traveled between North America and Albania in the past year, with major traffic originating from airports such as New York JFK and Toronto Pearson. The demographic primarily consists of Albanian Americans and Canadians visiting relatives, although the market yields are typically lower, resulting in limited nonstop flights.
Air Transat’s strategy involves tapping into this seasonal demand, offering 17 round-trip services on the A330-200 from Toronto to Tirana, with a total of 11,288 seats available. The aircraft will spend approximately 26 hours in Albania before returning to Toronto.
Booking data highlights that routes like Toronto to Belgrade and Budapest are larger markets than Tirana within the Central and Eastern Europe region. Air Canada plans to reintroduce flights to Budapest in June 2026, while Air Serbia will resume service to Toronto in May.
Air Transat’s expansion includes other notable routes with lower frequencies, such as two weekly departures to Keflavik and Valencia. The Keflavik route will commence on June 16, 2026, marking the airline’s first service to Iceland, while Valencia flights are set to resume on February 21 following a successful launch in 2025.
This strategic expansion and the addition of unique seasonal routes reflect Air Transat’s commitment to catering to diverse travel needs and enhancing its service offerings across Europe. As the airline continues to expand its footprint, it remains well-positioned to serve both the leisure and visiting friends and relatives markets effectively.