Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $29.1bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Inflation continues to impose headwinds
- Rapid inflation has suppressed airlines' recovery from the pandemic. Consumers have faced rising grocery bills and living expenses, forcing them to contend with dropping disposable income. While inflation has waned in 2024, many consumers aren't yet financially comfortable taking an expensive vacation overseas, leading travel to slow its upward trajectory and remain below prepandemic highs.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Expanding budgets downstream will support growth
- Rising wages and waning inflation are set to give consumers higher disposable income through the next period. With more to spend, consumers will be better able to choose pricier seats and overseas vacations over economy seats or domestic trips.
Biggest companies in the Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Air Canada | 21,273.2 | 1,828.8 | 8.6 | |
WestJet Airlines Ltd. | 4,233.7 | 148.4 | 3.5 | |
Porter Airlines Inc. | 648.4 | 52.4 | 8.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Scheduled domestic travel, Scheduled US-transborder travel and Scheduled non-US international travel. Scheduled domestic travel is the largest segment of the Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada.
Trends and Insights
Intercontinental travel skyrocketed post-pandemic
- Intercontinental travel to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America is the highest-margin travel for airlines in Canada. While less popular than other segments, international travel to countries other than the US makes up nearly half the industry's revenue.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides air transportation for passengers and cargo over regular routes and on regular schedules. Network carriers operate a significant portion of their flights using at least one hub where connections are made for flights on a spoke system. Regional carriers provide service from small cities, mainly using smaller aircraft and jets to support the network carriers’ hub and spoke systems. Airlines that transport mail are included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Scheduled domestic air passenger transportationScheduled transborder air passenger transportationScheduled international air passenger transportationScheduled helicopter passenger transportationScheduled air freight transportationCompanies
Air CanadaWestJet Airlines Ltd.Porter Airlines Inc.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
HUBREVENUE PASSENGER MILESREVENUE TONNE MILESCARGOIndustry Code
NAICS 481110 - Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Inflation-strained consumers are flying less. Canadians are facing dampened disposable income, leading them to hold off on expensive international travel. Many are choosing t...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
International flights are Canadian airlines' most lucrative service. These higher-margin flights have rebounded in popularity since the pandemic, supporting revenue growth fo...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Each province and territory has some airline activity. The federal government subsidizes travel to remote areas, boosting revenue in these locales.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Canadian airlines are highly concentrated. Air Canada dominates the market, taking up nearly three-quarters of revenue on its own.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Air Canada dominates revenue for Canadian airlines. It's the flag carrier and represents nearly three-quarters of revenue.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Air Canada's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of WestJet Airlines Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Porter Airlines Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Air Canada, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for WestJet Airlines Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Porter Airlines Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Regulation is heavy for airlines. There are many safety, environmental and political rules that they must follow. Combined with high start-up costs, it isn't easy to join the...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Rent is uniquely high for airlines. They must buy valuable space at many different airports to remain attractive for customers.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Assets (2017-2022)
- Liabilities (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada in 2024?
The market size of the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada is $29.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada industry in 2024?
There are 574 businesses in the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Scheduled Air Transportation market in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Scheduled Air Transportation market in Canada are Air Canada, WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Porter Airlines Inc.
What does the Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada include?
Scheduled domestic air passenger transportation and Scheduled transborder air passenger transportation are part of the Scheduled Air Transportation industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Scheduled Air Transportation in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in Canada is Air Canada.
How competitive is the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Scheduled Air Transportation industry in Canada.
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Complementors
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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