Air Canada Cargo tracking

What is Air Canada Cargo?

Air Canada Cargo is the dedicated freight division of Air Canada, the flag carrier and largest commercial airline of Canada. The division provides domestic, transborder, and international air freight services to freight forwarders, logistics providers, exporters, importers, and industries including pharmaceutical, aerospace, agriculture, and e-commerce. Operating under a dual model, Air Canada Cargo uses the belly cargo capacity of Air Canada's passenger aircraft across all route types while also deploying dedicated all-freighter aircraft on high-demand corridors between Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

The origins of Air Canada Cargo trace back to September 1, 1937, when Trans-Canada Air Lines, known as TCA, conducted its inaugural flight from Vancouver to Seattle aboard a Lockheed Model 10A Electra, carrying passengers alongside bags of mail. This mail-carrying function represented the beginning of organized air cargo operations in Canada. By 1939, TCA had formalized its cargo and mail operations, expanding to include general freight on key domestic routes. TCA rebranded as Air Canada in 1965, and in 1978 a dedicated cargo division was formally established under the name Air Canada Cargo Express.

During the 1980s, the division operated a small fleet of Douglas DC-8-63 aircraft converted to DC-8-73F freighters in 1984. These dedicated freighters were sold to DHL between 1990 and 1994, and throughout the 1990s and 2000s the carrier relied entirely on belly cargo space. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021 prompted a major strategic shift. With passenger flights severely curtailed, Air Canada Cargo expanded its freight operations, and on December 9, 2021 it launched the first of a planned fleet of Boeing 767-300ER/BDSF dedicated freighters on the Toronto-Vancouver route, marking the return of freighter operations for the first time in decades.

• Founded: Cargo operations date to 1937 with Trans-Canada Air Lines; dedicated cargo division established in 1978; dedicated freighter operations relaunched in December 2021
• Headquarters: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Parent company: Air Canada, flag carrier and largest airline of Canada
• IATA cargo prefix: 014, used in air waybill numbers in the format 014-XXXXXXXX
• Certifications: CEIV Pharma certified by IATA for pharmaceutical handling standards, with a certified facility in Toronto announced in 2019
• Fleet: Six active Boeing 767-300ER/BDSF dedicated freighters as of 2024-2025, supplemented by belly cargo capacity across the full Air Canada passenger fleet
• Network: Direct cargo service to more than 150 cities; global reach to more than 450 cities through interline partnerships and trucking connections

Air Canada Cargo holds the position of the largest air cargo carrier based in Canada. The company competes directly with international integrators and cargo airlines on domestic Canadian routes and key international corridors, differentiating itself through specialized cargo products, CEIV Pharma certification, and the Rivo e-commerce platform targeting domestic Canadian shippers. By 2024, the active freighter fleet had been trimmed from eight to six aircraft, with Air Canada beginning to lease some of the 767 freighters to Ethiopian Airlines as the company recalibrated toward a model that combines freighter operations with passenger belly capacity.

Which countries does Air Canada Cargo deliver to?

Air Canada Cargo serves domestic Canadian routes through four primary cargo hubs at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Calgary International Airport. The Rivo e-commerce platform provides door-to-door delivery across nine major Canadian cities, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John's. Beyond those cities, the full Air Canada and Air Canada Express regional network extends cargo reach to smaller Canadian communities across the country.

Internationally, Air Canada Cargo's dedicated freighter fleet operates specific routes out of Toronto to Frankfurt in Germany, Miami in the United States, Quito in Ecuador, Lima in Peru, Mexico City and Guadalajara in Mexico, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Madrid in Spain. The broader passenger network extends cargo capacity to destinations throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Middle East. An interline partnership with Emirates SkyCargo further expands reach to destinations beyond Air Canada's own routes, particularly across the Gulf region and beyond.

• Canada: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, St. John's, and smaller communities via the Air Canada Express regional network
• United States: Miami and numerous other U.S. destinations via passenger belly cargo and interline connections
• Europe: Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid (Spain), and additional European destinations served through passenger routes and interline partnerships
• Latin America: Mexico City, Guadalajara (Mexico), Quito (Ecuador), Lima (Peru), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and other Caribbean and South American destinations
• Asia-Pacific: Multiple destinations across Japan, Australia, and across the region via Air Canada passenger routes
• Middle East and beyond: Destinations accessible through the Emirates SkyCargo interline cooperation agreement

Air Canada Cargo's total global reach covers more than 450 cities when interline partners and trucking connections are included. AC Pharmacair certified handling locations are available at more than 30 stations worldwide, spanning Japan, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Israel, the United States, and locations throughout Europe. This network of certified pharmaceutical stations allows temperature-sensitive cargo to move through quality-controlled handling facilities even at intermediate stops and destination airports where Air Canada does not operate its own cargo facilities directly.

What are the Air Canada Cargo services and delivery times?

Air Canada Cargo organizes its product offering around several distinct service categories, each targeting a specific type of shipment. AC General is the standard cargo solution for dry cargo, consolidations, household goods, personal effects, and general commodities requiring no special handling. Shippers booking AC General can select between a Standard service level and Priority1, which provides preferred handling and space allocation on aircraft. Priority1 is offered across multiple products and represents the premium service tier within the Air Canada Cargo range.

AC Fresh is the perishables solution for fresh produce, seafood, meats, flowers, and herbs. The service is built around cold-chain handling and expedited processing to maintain the quality of time-sensitive food and agricultural products during transit. AC Pharmacair handles passive temperature-controlled pharmaceutical cargo, covering healthcare commodities pre-packaged to maintain their required temperature ranges without active refrigeration. This service operates from more than 30 CEIV-certified handling locations worldwide and aligns with GDP, or Good Distribution Practice, guidelines. AC Absolute° goes a step further by providing active temperature control using dry-ice and electrical compressor technology for highly sensitive pharmaceutical, biological, or other materials requiring precise temperature maintenance throughout the entire journey.

• AC General: Standard solution for dry cargo, general commodities, consolidations, and personal effects, available at Standard or Priority1 service levels
• Priority1: Premium tier with priority handling and preferred space allocation, available across AC General, AC Pharmacair, AC Fresh, and AC DGR products, and required for all AC Live shipments
• AC Fresh: Perishables service for produce, seafood, meats, flowers, and herbs, with cold-chain handling and expedited transit
• AC Pharmacair: Passive temperature-controlled solution for pharmaceutical cargo, operated at more than 30 CEIV Pharma-certified stations globally
• AC Absolute°: Active temperature-controlled service using dry-ice and compressor units for high-value pharmaceutical and biological materials with strict temperature parameters
• AC DGR: IATA-compliant dangerous goods transport with trained acceptance staff, designated holding areas, and ongoing regulatory compliance review
• AC Live: Specialized live animal transport, with all shipments traveling at Priority1 level in pressurized and temperature-controlled cargo holds, handled by trained staff at designated holding facilities
• AC eCommerce / Rivo: Door-to-door domestic e-commerce delivery platform launched in March 2021, connecting merchants to consumers across nine major Canadian cities via first-mile and last-mile partners

Air Canada Cargo does not publish standardized delivery time windows publicly for its service tiers. Transit times depend on the specific route, available flight schedules, and the product booked. Priority1 service places shipments on the first available suitable aircraft, which naturally yields faster transit than standard booking. International shipments are also subject to customs clearance at the destination country. Customers can access booking and transit estimates through the Air Canada Cargo online booking tool, which accepts reservations up to 29 days in advance.

What are the Air Canada Cargo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Air Canada Cargo uses the standard air cargo pricing model, in which rates are calculated on a per-kilogram basis. The applicable rate varies based on the origin and destination pair, the service level selected, either Standard or Priority1, the nature of the commodity, and any special handling requirements attached to the shipment. Surcharges apply to temperature-controlled products, including AC Pharmacair, AC Absolute°, and AC Fresh, live animal shipments under AC Live, and dangerous goods shipments under AC DGR. A ground handling charge applies to all shipments originating in Canada, and Air Canada Cargo announced an increase to its ground handling charges for 2025. Payment can be processed through PayCargo for immediate processing, in addition to standard prepaid or collect billing arrangements.

Regarding package size and weight limits, Air Canada Cargo accepts shipments on both passenger aircraft belly cargo and dedicated freighter aircraft. Accepted dimensions and maximum weights vary by equipment type and the specific route operated. Cargo that exceeds the hold dimensions of standard passenger aircraft is directed to freighter services. Air Canada Cargo has not published specific maximum per-shipment weight figures publicly, as capacity assessments depend on the aircraft type, available load on the route, and booking timing. Shippers with outsize or overweight pieces are directed to contact the carrier directly for a capacity and rating assessment before booking.

• Rate basis: Per-kilogram pricing, varying by route, service level, commodity type, and special handling surcharges
• Priority1 surcharge: Applied for preferred space allocation and priority handling, available on AC General, AC Pharmacair, AC Fresh, and AC DGR products
• Temperature-control surcharges: Applicable to AC Pharmacair, AC Absolute°, and AC Fresh shipments
• Dangerous goods surcharge: Applied to AC DGR shipments, with additional charges for lithium battery checks and dry ice handling
• Ground handling charge: Applied to Canadian-origin shipments, with rates updated for 2025
• Free storage (general cargo): 48 hours after arrival at destination terminal before storage fees apply
• Free storage (special handling): 24 hours for perishables, live animals, and other special handling cargo
• Dimensional limits: Vary by aircraft type; pieces exceeding passenger hold dimensions are directed to freighter services

What are the Air Canada Cargo delivery options?

Air Canada Cargo primarily operates as a business-to-business air freight carrier. In its main product lines, shipments are tendered at Air Canada Cargo terminals by freight forwarders or direct commercial shippers and collected by the consignee or their agent at the destination cargo terminal. This airport-to-airport model is standard for the AC General, AC Fresh, AC Pharmacair, AC Absolute°, AC DGR, and AC Live product lines. Consignees or their freight brokers are responsible for arranging pickup from the destination cargo terminal within the applicable free storage window to avoid accruing storage fees.

The Rivo e-commerce platform represents Air Canada Cargo's door-to-door delivery option for domestic Canadian shipments. Launched in March 2021, Rivo connects merchants and first-mile providers to last-mile delivery partners across nine major Canadian cities. Shipments move from the merchant's location to the end consumer through a complete handoff between Air Canada Cargo and its network of delivery partners. The Rivo platform also integrates with third-party shipping management tools such as ShipStation, making it accessible to online retailers managing multiple sales channels from a single interface.

• Airport-to-airport: Standard model for AC General, AC Fresh, AC Pharmacair, AC Absolute°, AC DGR, and AC Live; consignee or freight agent collects at destination terminal
• Free storage (general cargo): 48 hours after arrival at the destination terminal before storage fees are charged
• Free storage (special handling cargo): 24 hours for perishables, live animals, and other special handling cargo
• Door-to-door (Rivo): Available for domestic Canadian e-commerce shipments across Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John's
• ShipStation integration: Rivo is accessible through ShipStation for merchants managing multi-channel e-commerce fulfillment

What should I do if my Air Canada Cargo parcel is lost or damaged?

Air Canada Cargo provides a dedicated online claims portal through the CargoClaims platform for reporting lost, damaged, or delayed shipments. Claimants can submit a cargo claim form directly on the platform without needing to create an account in advance. During submission, the filer can select from available contacts at the airline or enter a contact email address manually. A confirmation copy of the submitted claim is sent automatically to the claimant's email address. Shippers and consignees are advised to file any claim as promptly as possible after discovering loss or damage, as international air cargo claims are subject to deadlines under the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention depending on the applicable treaty.

For general customer support inquiries not related to formal claims, Air Canada's customer service telephone line is available for callers in Canada and the United States at 1-888-247-2262. Written correspondence and formal customer relations submissions can be directed by post to Air Canada Customer Relations, P.O. Box 64239 RPO Thorncliffe, Calgary, AB, Canada T2K 6J7. Fax lines are available at 1-866-584-0380 or 1-403-569-5333. Air Canada also maintains a web-based contact form for submitting service feedback, concerns, or compliments related to cargo operations.

• Claims portal: Accessible online without prior account registration; available for lost, damaged, or delayed cargo claims
• Claim confirmation: A copy of the submitted claim is automatically sent to the claimant's email address upon submission
• Customer service phone (Canada and United States): 1-888-247-2262
• Postal address: Air Canada Customer Relations, P.O. Box 64239 RPO Thorncliffe, Calgary, AB, Canada T2K 6J7
• Fax lines: 1-866-584-0380 or 1-403-569-5333
• Filing deadline: Claims should be filed promptly; international cargo claims are subject to time limits under the Montreal Convention or Warsaw Convention

Does Air Canada Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Air Canada Cargo handles international shipments across its global network, connecting Canada to destinations in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the United States. The carrier operates under the IATA regulatory framework for international air cargo and requires standard customs documentation from shippers at the time of booking or acceptance. Required documents include the Air Waybill, a commercial invoice, and a packing list. Commodity-specific documentation must also accompany the shipment where applicable, such as phytosanitary certificates for fresh produce, health certificates for live animals, and material safety data sheets for dangerous goods shipments.

Customs clearance at the destination is generally the responsibility of the consignee or their designated customs broker. Duties and taxes are assessed against the consignee unless alternative billing arrangements have been made. For pharmaceutical shipments handled under AC Pharmacair and AC Absolute°, CEIV Pharma certification means that handling at certified stations follows internationally recognized quality requirements aligned with GDP guidelines, which can simplify handling transitions at destination airports. Air Canada Cargo maintains a dedicated section covering destination-specific regulatory requirements to help shippers prepare the correct documentation for each country of destination.

Common reasons for customs delays at the destination include incomplete or incorrect customs declaration forms, restricted or prohibited items included in the shipment, outstanding customs fees or taxes, random security inspections, and elevated volumes during peak shipping seasons. For dangerous goods, full IATA DGR compliance documentation and proper packaging must be verified before the shipment can be released through customs at any destination airport.

• Required documents: Air Waybill, commercial invoice, packing list, and any commodity-specific certificates required by the destination country
• Customs responsibility: Clearance at destination is handled by the consignee or their customs broker; duties and taxes are assessed against the consignee unless otherwise arranged
• Pharmaceutical cargo: CEIV Pharma-certified handling at more than 30 stations worldwide under AC Pharmacair and AC Absolute° products
• Prohibited items: Arsenic, cyanide, insecticides, pesticides, weed killers, poisonous or toxic substances (unless shipped through proper DGR procedures), oil-based paints, lacquers, shellacs, and certain flammable liquids
• Dangerous goods: All hazardous materials must comply with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and be booked under the AC DGR product with appropriate documentation and packaging
• e-AWB: Electronic air waybill capabilities are available through the Air Canada Cargo online booking dashboard

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track an Air Canada Cargo shipment online, the Air Waybill number serves as the primary reference across all tracking touchpoints. Every shipment is assigned a unique 11-digit AWB number in the format 014-XXXXXXXX, where 014 is Air Canada's IATA-assigned airline prefix and the remaining digits identify the specific consignment. Tracking is available through the Air Canada Cargo official website as well as through third-party cargo tracking platforms . Shipment data is updated in real time throughout the transit lifecycle. The following table describes the main statuses and their meaning at each stage of the journey.