TORONTO— Air Canada (AC) is preparing to enter one of the most notable gaps in Canada’s Africa network, with a planned nonstop service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, Nigeria.
The airline has said it intends to launch the route in 2027, although a firm start date and schedule have not yet been announced.
The proposed Toronto-Lagos route would connect two major cities that currently lack a nonstop link.
The development follows an expanded Canada-Nigeria air service agreement, giving Air Canada a stronger framework to consider the long-haul operation while responding to established passenger demand between the two countries, Simple Flying reported
Air Canada Toronto to Lagos Flights
The potential route has a sizeable market behind it. Industry network planner and African aviation specialist Behramjee Ghadially estimates that about 115,000 round-trip passengers travelled between Toronto and Lagos last year, equivalent to roughly 315 passengers per day.
The market also generates significant connecting traffic because travellers currently have to use another airport on the journey.
Air France, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM and Royal Air Maroc together carried nearly seven in ten passengers in the market, highlighting the opportunity for a nonstop competitor.
Average fares also indicate the commercial value of the market. Across airlines, cabins and passenger types, the average one-way fare was estimated at about $624, including fuel surcharges.
Air Canada Network Expansion Plans
A Toronto-Lagos service would also give Air Canada a stronger presence in West Africa.
The airline currently serves Africa from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) with its Casablanca service, making Lagos a potential expansion of its African network from Toronto.
The opportunity extends beyond Toronto. In 2025, an estimated 55,000 passengers travelled between other Canadian cities and Nigeria, with Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Montréal and Vancouver among the key markets.
A nonstop Toronto connection could therefore feed passengers from across Air Canada’s domestic network.
The route could also attract connecting passengers from the United States. Major U.S. markets linked to Lagos include Washington, New York, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Newark, Los Angeles and Boston, creating additional traffic potential through Toronto.
Boeing 787-9 Launch Option Suggested
A three-times-weekly launch using the 298-seat Boeing 787-9 has been suggested as a suitable starting point. The aircraft would allow Air Canada to test demand without committing a large amount of capacity to a completely new market.
A cautious launch could later expand during the peak winter period, when four or five weekly flights may be possible if demand and yields support additional capacity.
Christmas and Easter are particularly important periods for Nigerian travellers, while connecting passengers from other Canadian and U.S. cities could further strengthen the route.
Air Canada’s planned 2027 service would also come as Canadian airlines expand their African networks.
Air Transat (TS) launched Montréal-Dakar service in June 2026 and also introduced Montréal-Agadir, while its 2026 schedule includes Toronto-Accra service.
For now, Toronto-Lagos remains a planned route rather than a confirmed scheduled operation. If Air Canada proceeds with the launch, however, it could become one of the most important new Canada-Africa links in the airline’s network.
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