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Air Canada (TSE:AC)
TSX:AC
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Air Canada (AC) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:AC

Air Canada

(TSX:AC)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
C$20.00
▲(6.61% Upside)
Air Canada's overall stock score reflects a strong revenue recovery and undervaluation, but is tempered by high leverage and operational challenges. The mixed earnings call sentiment and technical indicators suggest cautious optimism, with potential for growth if operational efficiencies and fleet expansions are successfully executed.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The significant revenue growth indicates a strong rebound post-pandemic, suggesting effective market recovery and potential for sustained expansion.
Operational Metrics Improvement
Improved operational metrics reflect enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction, which can drive long-term loyalty and competitive advantage.
Network and Fleet Expansion
Expanding the network and upgrading the fleet positions Air Canada for future growth and efficiency, enhancing its competitive edge in the airline industry.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage poses a financial risk, potentially impacting financial stability and limiting flexibility in managing economic downturns or unexpected costs.
Cash Flow Challenges
Declining cash flow growth suggests potential liquidity issues, which could hinder the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities or manage debt effectively.
Labor Disruption Impact
Labor disruptions can significantly affect operations and financial performance, indicating potential vulnerabilities in workforce management and operational resilience.

Air Canada (AC) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Air Canada Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAir Canada (AC) is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It operates a comprehensive domestic and international network, serving over 220 destinations in more than 50 countries. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, which enhances its global reach. Core products and services include passenger air transportation, cargo services, and various ancillary services such as in-flight entertainment, seat selection, and loyalty programs through Aeroplan.
How the Company Makes MoneyAir Canada generates revenue primarily through passenger ticket sales, which account for a significant portion of its income. Additionally, the airline earns money from cargo services, providing air freight solutions for businesses. Ancillary revenues are also crucial, coming from services such as baggage fees, in-flight sales, and premium services. The Aeroplan loyalty program plays a significant role in revenue generation, as it allows customers to earn and redeem points, creating customer loyalty and additional sales through partnerships with hotels, car rental services, and other travel-related services. Strategic partnerships, including codeshare agreements with other airlines within the Star Alliance, also contribute to its earnings by expanding its market reach and providing customers with more travel options.

Air Canada Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 04, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
Next Earnings Date:Feb 13, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture. While there are strong booking trends and improvements in operational metrics, the significant impact of the labor disruption and decline in passenger revenues are concerning. The company's future outlook with new routes and fleet expansion is positive, but fleet delivery delays present a challenge.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Q4 Booking Trends
Booking trends for Q4 are strong with an expectation of year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA for the last quarter of the year.
Operational Metrics Improvement
On-time performance and Net Promoter Score exceeded both internal targets and last year's levels for the quarter and year-to-date.
Strong Premium Cabin and Corporate Performance
Front cabin revenues outperformed the economy cabin by 6 percentage points. Corporate revenues improved with roughly 11% year-over-year growth from corporate customers in September.
Continued Network and Fleet Expansion
Air Canada plans to introduce new international routes and receive new aircraft types, including the A321XLR and the 787-10 in 2026.
Cost Reduction Program Progress
The $150 million cost reduction program is on target, with key components including operational efficiencies and management headcount reductions.
Negative Updates
Impact of Labor Disruption
The labor disruption resulted in a $430 million impact to revenues and a 5% decline in operating revenues compared to a year ago.
Decline in Passenger Revenues
Third quarter passenger revenues of $5.2 billion declined 6% from the same period last year on 2% less capacity.
Adjusted EBITDA Decrease
Adjusted EBITDA of $961 million declined $562 million from the same quarter in 2024 due to the labor disruption.
Challenges with Fleet Delivery
Fleet delays in 2026 are anticipated, with about 6 fewer A220 and 737 MAX aircraft and 6 fewer A321XLR or 787-10s than originally expected.
Company Guidance
During the Air Canada Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided updated guidance amid a challenging quarter impacted by a labor disruption. The call highlighted a 5% year-over-year decline in third-quarter operating revenues to $5.8 billion due to a 2% capacity drop from strike-related cancellations. Adjusted EBITDA was $961 million, down $562 million from the previous year, with expectations to align with full-year guidance if the disruption hadn't occurred. Despite these setbacks, operational metrics such as on-time performance and Net Promoter Score surpassed internal targets and prior-year levels. Air Canada anticipates strong booking trends for Q4, projecting year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA. The company updated its full-year guidance, now expecting a 0.75% capacity increase over 2024, adjusted CASM in the $0.146 to $0.147 range, and adjusted EBITDA between $2.95 billion and $3.05 billion. Additionally, they forecast free cash flow between breakeven and $200 million for the year, with a focus on handling delayed payments from the third quarter. Looking ahead, Air Canada plans to add 35 new aircraft in 2026, albeit with some delivery delays, and continue executing its fleet strategy to support growth and efficiency.

Air Canada Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Air Canada shows strong revenue recovery post-pandemic, but profitability and cash flow metrics indicate ongoing challenges. High leverage poses a significant risk, requiring careful management to ensure financial stability. The company needs to focus on improving operational efficiency and cash flow generation.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Air Canada's income statement shows a strong recovery in revenue with a TTM growth rate of 50.8%. However, profitability metrics like gross profit margin (20.44%) and net profit margin (6.60%) are moderate, reflecting industry challenges. EBIT and EBITDA margins have declined compared to previous years, indicating pressure on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
45
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals high leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.60, which poses a financial risk. Return on equity is strong at 63.72%, but the equity ratio is low, indicating reliance on debt financing. This high leverage could impact financial stability if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a decline in free cash flow growth (-25.07%) and a moderate operating cash flow to net income ratio (0.29). While free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.21, indicating some cash generation, the overall cash flow position suggests potential liquidity challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue22.34B22.25B21.83B16.56B6.40B5.83B
Gross Profit7.32B7.38B7.51B3.71B-1.28B-1.83B
EBITDA2.67B3.03B4.83B1.00B-1.65B-2.39B
Net Income1.48B1.72B2.28B-1.70B-3.60B-4.65B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets31.15B31.21B30.17B29.51B30.61B28.91B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments6.36B6.98B8.55B7.99B8.97B7.61B
Total Debt11.79B12.67B13.86B16.31B16.52B12.99B
Total Liabilities29.36B28.82B29.38B31.06B30.61B27.20B
Stockholders Equity1.79B2.39B796.00M-1.55B9.00M1.72B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow801.00M1.29B2.76B796.00M-2.64B-3.56B
Operating Cash Flow3.83B3.93B4.32B2.37B-1.56B-2.35B
Investing Cash Flow-881.00M-1.36B-1.83B-2.50B-1.87B-733.00M
Financing Cash Flow-2.64B-2.87B-2.37B-1.61B4.01B4.70B

Air Canada Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price18.76
Price Trends
50DMA
18.58
Positive
100DMA
19.45
Negative
200DMA
18.09
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.02
Negative
RSI
57.49
Neutral
STOCH
73.96
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:AC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 18.76 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 18.28, above the 50-day MA of 18.58, and above the 200-day MA of 18.09, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.02 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 57.49 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 73.96 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:AC.

Air Canada Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$12.31B29.608.73%8.04%
67
Neutral
C$967.93M25.524.85%0.89%6.58%121.23%
65
Neutral
$1.25B8.7219.73%1.74%14.37%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
63
Neutral
$19.58B30.896.69%64.89%
61
Neutral
$5.56B4.53101.32%0.33%-15.99%
56
Neutral
C$596.93M-17.932.81%0.34%-16.92%77.04%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:AC
Air Canada
18.76
-4.40
-19.00%
TSE:CAE
CAE
38.83
12.51
47.53%
TSE:BBD.B
Bombardier
194.80
88.66
83.53%
TSE:CHR
Chorus Aviation
23.43
1.25
5.64%
TSE:MAL
Magellan Aerospace
16.94
6.89
68.56%
TSE:CJT
Cargojet
80.32
-49.90
-38.32%

Air Canada Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Air Canada Reports Resilient Q3 2025 Amid Labor Disruptions
Positive
Nov 4, 2025

Air Canada reported a solid third quarter in 2025, with operating revenues of $5.774 billion, despite a 5% decline from the previous year, largely due to a labor disruption during the peak summer season. The company demonstrated resilience with strong performance in the Atlantic market and premium cabins, and it plans to continue its growth trajectory by upgrading its fleet and focusing on operational efficiencies. The positive booking momentum into the fourth quarter and early 2026, along with strategic initiatives and cost discipline, positions Air Canada well for future expansion and shareholder value enhancement.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:AC) stock is a Hold with a C$19.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Air Canada stock, see the TSE:AC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Air Canada Updates 2025 Guidance Amid Labour Disruption Impact
Negative
Sep 24, 2025

Air Canada has announced its estimated results for the third quarter of 2025 and updated its full-year guidance, following a significant labour disruption in August 2025 due to a strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The company anticipates a decline in operated capacity and a decrease in operating income compared to the previous year, largely due to the cancellation of over 3,200 flights. The labour disruption is estimated to have a $375 million impact on operating income and adjusted EBITDA. Despite these challenges, Air Canada is proceeding with arbitration to finalize a new agreement with CUPE and has updated its 2025 financial outlook to reflect these disruptions, projecting adjusted EBITDA between $2.9 billion and $3.1 billion.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:AC) stock is a Hold with a C$22.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Air Canada stock, see the TSE:AC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Air Canada Suspends 2025 Financial Guidance Amid Labor Disruption
Negative
Aug 18, 2025

Air Canada has suspended its guidance for the third quarter and full-year 2025 operating results due to a labor disruption caused by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which led to the suspension of all flights. Despite the Canadian Industrial Relations Board’s directive to resume operations, CUPE instructed its members to defy this order, impacting Air Canada’s operations and prompting the suspension of its financial guidance. This situation has significant implications for the airline’s stakeholders, customers, and the communities it serves.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:AC) stock is a Buy with a C$28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Air Canada stock, see the TSE:AC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 05, 2025