Air Canada passengers will soon be able to check-in for flights at Waterloo region's airport

People who want to fly with Air Canada will soon be able to check-in for their flights at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

Travellers would arrive at the region's airport, receive a boarding pass and check their bags. The airline announced it has partnered with The Landline Company, a bus company, to then pick passengers up at the region's airport and take them to Toronto Pearson Airport.

Air Canada says it will be a "seamless, convenient and more sustainable" way for people to catch their flights. The airline noted the bus is accessible, including a lift for mobility devices.

The service is set to launch in May. The service will also be available at Hamilton's airport.

Nick Johnson, vice president of commercial for the Colorado-based Landline, said in a media release that the move will help thousands of people who "face a stressful, time consuming journey from Hamilton and Waterloo region to Toronto Pearson airport" for flights.

Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman called it a "good news" story for the airport because it will "demonstrate we're open for business at YKF." YKF is the airport letter code for the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

"It's a bit of a new service I think for Canada, but it's certainly done other places in the world so the model isn't new. It's a common offering in other countries," she told CBC News. "We thought it was a great service to provide for people in the region."

Redman noted the airport saw a record number of passengers in 2023 and they want to see that grow, with a goal of reaching one million.

"These are the kinds of partnerships that are going to allow us to continue to grow and provide more services," Redman said.

Air Canada says it's possible they will expand the service to other parts of the country in the future.