Aviation History
Canadian aviation was shaped early on by 'bush flying,' which used small aircraft to open remote northern and rural regions to air transport in the 1920s. The federal government established Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) in 1937 as a Crown corporation to provide national air service; it was renamed Air Canada in 1965. Canada also became home to the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal starting in 1947. The government privatized Air Canada in the late 1980s, and the 1996 launch of WestJet introduced low-cost competition, while Air Canada's 2000 acquisition of rival Canadian Airlines consolidated the national market.
Bush pilots began using small aircraft, often on skis or floats, to connect remote and northern Canadian communities that lacked road or rail access.
The federal government established Trans-Canada Air Lines as a Crown corporation to operate Canada's first national scheduled air service.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, created under the 1944 Chicago Convention, established its permanent headquarters in Montreal.
Trans-Canada Air Lines officially adopted the name Air Canada, which it retains as the country's flag carrier.
The Canadian government sold its remaining stake in Air Canada, completing its transition from Crown corporation to publicly traded company.
The Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) entered commercial service, helping pioneer the modern regional jet aircraft category.
WestJet began operations in western Canada, introducing sustained low-cost competition to the Canadian airline market.
Air Canada acquired its main domestic rival, Canadian Airlines, consolidating the majority of Canada's national airline market under one carrier.
Air Canada · WestJet · Canadian Airlines (historic) · Trans-Canada Air Lines (historic)
General aviation history sources; current airline market share and fleet details may shift over time.