Air Transat is adding another North American airline presence to the Canary Islands, with new winter services to Gran Canaria from Montreal and Toronto. The Canadian carrier is expanding into an archipelago that is already set to see Air Canada begin regular flights to Tenerife.

The move gives Canadian travellers two direct options to one of Spain’s most popular winter sun destinations. It also strengthens Gran Canaria’s position as a key Atlantic leisure market for long-haul airlines.

Air Transat said it would launch the routes in winter, but the article did not provide start dates or frequencies. The announcement comes as the Canary Islands attract more interest from airlines across North America looking to serve seasonal demand for warm-weather holidays.

The new services are part of a broader push by Canadian carriers into the region. Air Canada has already outlined plans for regular flights to Tenerife, and Air Transat’s entry means the Canaries will soon have more direct connectivity from Canada than before.

Gran Canaria has long been a major draw for European holidaymakers, but the latest airline plans underline its wider appeal. For travellers in Canada, the new routes should improve access to the islands without the need for connecting flights through mainland Europe.

The expansion also reflects the continued strength of leisure travel demand on transatlantic routes. Airlines have been adding capacity to sunny destinations where demand peaks in the winter months, and the Canary Islands remain among the most established of those markets.

Air Transat’s network decision may also increase competition on routes to the Canaries, which could support fares and choice for passengers. The article did not say when bookings would open or whether the airline plans any additional Canary Islands services beyond Gran Canaria.

For now, the key change is clear: Air Transat is joining Air Canada in building a stronger Canadian link to the Canary Islands, with Gran Canaria at the centre of its winter expansion.