Air Canada will begin non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife in December. The new, three-times weekly service will provide connections between eastern Canada and the capital of the Northwest Territories.

Customers will also be able to seamlessly connect onward from Yellowknife on Air Canada's interline partner, Canadian North.

"The North has a magical attraction and Air Canada is pleased to make it easier for customers to visit Yellowknife and beyond, beginning at a time when the Northern Lights are on full display,” said Mark Galardo, EVP, Revenue and Network Planning.

“But apart from supporting tourism to the city and region, this new route will also be valuable to business travellers and the economy, linking Yellowknife directly to Canada's financial capital,” Galardo added.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the Northwest Territories, said the announcement marks a significant increase of air transportation options for the Northwest Territories.

“With the launch of this non-stop flight between Yellowknife and Toronto, there are increased opportunities for tourism and better connections into Canada's financial hub. We look forward to the positive impact these flights will have in supporting the NWT to conveniently welcome more travellers, businesses and professional organizations to our region," Wawzonek said.

Service between Toronto and Yellowknife will begin December 1, 2023, using Canadian-made Airbus A220 aircraft. It will be configured with 137 seats in a Business and Economy cabin, with onboard Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment systems.

The new service will complement Air Canada's existing twice daily service between Yellowknife and Vancouver and daily service between Yellowknife and Edmonton.

Customers connecting for travel beyond Yellowknife can take advantage of Air Canada's bilateral interline agreement with Canadian North, which allows travel on a single, through-checked ticket that includes baggage transfer.

Destinations available via Canadian North include Cambridge Bay, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Gjoa Haven, Taoloyoak and Inuvik. Customers travelling on Canadian North can also earn and redeem Aeroplan points.