March 15, 2026

FREE AIR CANADA BUSES ONLY FOR ITS PASSENGERS FROM MUSKOKA AIRPORT TO PEARSON OPENS DOORS BOTH WAYS, SAY PARTNERS

MUSKOKA — “Free” twice-daily express Air Canada buses exclusively for its passengers to its Toronto Pearson airport global flight hub “puts Muskoka on the map and on its app.”

That’s District Chair Jeff Lehman on the tarmac of Muskoka Airport Thursday boasting about a three-way Muskoka partnership with the airline and the Landline bus company beginning morning Monday June 15.

“That’s one of the most significant things about this moment.

“Muskoka’s Airport, YQA, now appears on those travel planning apps on your Air Canada app as part of the global network of the Star Alliance,” which includes 140 airports that Air Canada flies into and from worldwide.

Passengers who book onto the 36-seat bus can also park for “free” the first year in Muskoka.

Ranbir Singh, Air Canada’s director of regional airlines and markets, said the twice daily service is free for all their customers flying with them and their partners Lufthansa and United. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

It’s being billed as “seamless travel” with an open-ended partnership moving forward with the Muskoka Airport.

“That’s a big deal,” said Lehman. “It’s a big deal for us in terms of tourists who can now book a trip straight to YQA — with the last leg being on this beautiful coach.

“And it’s a big deal for our residents, who don’t have to deal with the parking spots, the trip and uncertainty that comes with driving to Pearson.

“Instead, you start your trip right here on our tarmac.

“So this is a wonderful moment for our tourism industry here in Muskoka. It’s a wonderful moment for this YQA airport.

“We’re delighted to be able to partner with Air Canada and Landline to bring the service for the residents of Muskoka and the many visitors who will arrive this way.”

**Muskoka Airport board member Zana Alhillou, left, and Air Canada PR re[ Thea Ma show the comfort and leg room of the 36 seats in the Landline bus.**

After Porter Airlines ended summer flight services in 2022 from Muskoka to the Billy Bishop Airport — due to a lack of landing space at the Toronto Island because of parking rights space there — the afternoon announcement was hopefully expected to be about landing a new seasonal air carrier.

However, Lehman called this “an initial step toward the return of flights to Muskoka.”

Instead, the bus service was hailed as unique opportunity by the almost a dozen district airport board and Air Canada and Landline officials on hand. Along twice as many supporters including Muskoka Airport board chair Eileen Waechter and CEO Maciej Habrych who called it “an important step forward for the Muskoka Airport and the Muskoka region.

“It represents something much bigger than a bus route. It represents regional connectivity to global markets for Muskoka. For us this is transformational. And reinforces Muskoka’s airport role as a regional transportation hub and driver of economic development.”

Muskoka Airport CEO Maciej Habrych shows where passengers will book in and get their flight boarding pass and bus pass at the Muskoka Airport. Air Canada will be hiring at least a couple people to staff the check-in counter that will be open for their Toronto flights seven days a week.

‘Free year-round service’

Their customers can book Landline for no added fee beyond the price of their air journey.

It’s a “free year-round bus service,” added Ranbir Singh, Air Canada’s director of regional airlines and markets. “And it is included in the price of your plane ticket.”

But only passengers booked on Air Canada’s flights can ride the bus to its “Terminal One Global Hub” — plus partner airlines like Lufthansa and United Airlines.

The twice daily buses leave Muskoka

at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. for 2:45 p.m. trip

And return at 8 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.

**The flight schedule from Muskoka Airport as of June 15 shows the Muskoka YQA departure and Toronto Pearson YYZ arrival times. GRAPHIC Air Canada**

Singh said Air Canada brings in nearly two million foreign tourists annually to Ontario, “and Muskoka is a major draw for a lot of them.” These visitors spend upwards of $1.7 billion across the province.

“In short,” said Singh, “Air Canada is gonna bring the world here to tour, explore, and invest, and we’re also gonna make the journey of locals abroad much, much easier.”

Landline vp Nick Johnson said if there is are any travel delays due to traffic, weather and snow — and passengers miss flights — “they will automatically be booked on the next available Air Canada Flight without delay.” At no added cost to the customer.

A big part of this marketing and sales pitch is that for passengers departing Muskoka is they can load luggage right onto their flight with their bags bagged and tagged before they board the direct route bus.

When they arrive directly to Air Canada’s Terminal One Global Hub, passengers need only take their suitcases to the Air Canada express loading desk and throw it on the automatic carousel while avoiding any line-up.

Then simply go straight to departure.

Air Canada’s Ranbir Singh, District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman, Landline vp Nick Johnson, Muskoka Airport CEO Maciej Habrych, and new board chair Eileen Waechter welcomed their new three-way parntership Thursday.

It all begins in Muskoka with a check-in desk, which will have a couple of staff members hired to check in passengers, says Habrych.

He says with 100 “free” overnight parking spots available for the next year (without expansion) they have ample room to accommodate travellers.

A savings of potentially hundreds of dollars for those en route on longer say week-long holidays and extended business trips.

Next year he says charged will be applied at a “more competitive” rate than leaving your vehicle in a Toronto Airport Road parking lot and then having to be shuttled to the terminal.

Asked about the cost to Muskoka, he said he didn’t want to divulge contract terms with the partners, but he hopes that within a year or two it will become profit-making for the Muskoka Airport.

It has something to do with the number of passengers based on the 36-passenger bus and 72 seats for sale on the two runs every day of the week. And which could also lead to more seats and buses.

Each bus has wifi and each seat a table top like on planes.

While Singh boasts it’s about “bringing the world to Muskoka,” Habrych says it’s just part of the growing aerospace industry that is increasingly including Muskoka, which is “one of Canada’s most iconic destinations.”

And one he hopes that by bringing Air Canada passengers to and from Muskoka will further increase its presence and prominence in the industry and community.

Air Canada planes are already a familiar sight over the airport where a private contractor on site paints some of them.

The district and Muskoka Airport board have been working on this “for months” — if not longer.

“It happened fast,” said Habrych.

“But firstly, it enhances global access to Muskoka residents who live and work here, providing a major value proposition at home. Second, it enhances tourism access to one of Canada’s most iconic destinations. Third, it supports local business and investment, making it easier to reach for companies and clients. And lastly, it reinforces Muskoka’s airport role as a regional transportation hub and driver of economic development.”

**Inside the Landline motor coach it’s comfort all the way to Toronto and back to Muskoka.**

Muskoka Tourism U.S. promotion

Bella Hamilton, Muskoka Tourism chair, said visitors and tourists are “excited about Muskoka, but ask ‘how do I get there?’

“So we’re very excited to share this story in the days, weeks, months and years ahead to ensure that this is a very big success for tourism in our community”

She said they will be promoting the service as part of their advertising in the northern U.S. “drive states” and Europe — predominantly in Germany and the U.K.

James Murphy, executive director of RTO-12 Ontario’s tourism arm who championed previous flight services to Toronto, was among those also present and who’ll also be promoting the partnership.

How service works

Air Canada ticket customers beginning their journey in Muskoka will check in here for their flight as usual, have their bags tagged — and receive boarding passes for all segments of their trip. At Muskoka Airport passengers will board a luxury Air Canada-branded motor coach bound straight for Toronto Pearson International Airport Terminal One.

Travellers will receive the same benefits as air-only itineraries, including boarding pass and baggage tag printing, disruption protection and the opportunity to earn Aeroplan points.

Customers who today already have an Air Canada booking for flights to or from Toronto Pearson can add the Muskoka Airport segment to their existing itinerary at no extra cost by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262, provided they do so by April 30.

Air Canada, Landline:

Air Canada’s partnership with Landline began in 2024 with Hamilton (5 runs daily now) and Kitchener (12).
They added Kingston in 2025 (4).
And the three on Thursday with Muskoka and Sarnia (2) and Niagara (3).
Landline journeys are eligible for earning and redemption of aero plan, just like flight trees are.