Air Canada Flight Cancellation: Refunds, Rebooking and What to Do Next

Air Canada has suspended all flights to Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until at least September 7, 2026.

If you have a booking on these routes, here are your rights, options, and next steps under Canadian law.

Affected Routes and Timeline

These dates are subject to change. Air Canada has extended the suspension several times since the conflict began in late February 2026.

An 8 April ceasefire has since come under repeated strain — including a fresh Iranian attack on Kuwait’s main airport on 3 June 2026 — so no firm restart date is confirmed. Check Air Canada’s official advisory page for the latest.

How to Check Your Flight Status

Use Wego Flight Tracker

For the airline’s current network and resumption outlook, see our Air Canada flight status guide. To confirm your specific flight and explore alternatives, use Wego’s flight tracking platform:

• Air Canada Flight Tracker (Wego) — real-time updates on AC flight status
• Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Airport Tracking (Wego) — departures and delays
• Dubai International (DXB) Airport Tracking (Wego) — arrivals and operations

Check Your Air Canada Booking

• Visit Air Canada’s Middle East Travel Updates page
• Log in to your Air Canada account at aircanada.com to view your booking
• Look for travel waiver notifications in your email

Contact Air Canada

• Phone (Canada/US): 1-888-247-2262
• International/all other areas: +1 514-393-3333 (toll charges may apply)
• Baggage Services (Canada/US): 1-888-689-2247 (toll-free)
• Visit their Rebooking page for self-service options

Your Options: At a Glance

Eligibility: These options apply to passengers who purchased tickets before March 16, 2026, for travel between May 1 and September 7, 2026, to or from Dubai (DXB) or Tel Aviv (TLV).

How to Request a Refund

You can request a cash refund if Air Canada’s rebooking offer does not suit your travel needs, or if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its purpose.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Contact Air Canada in writing. Include your booking reference number, passenger name(s) and date of birth, original flight details (flight number, date, route), reason for refund request, and preferred refund method (credit card, bank transfer, etc.).
2. Send to: Air Canada Customer Relations — call 1-888-247-2262 or write to Air Canada Customer Relations, P.O. Box 64239 RPO Thorncliffe, Calgary, AB, Canada T2K 6J7.
3. Reference the travel waiver: Mention that you are affected by the Middle East flight suspension and requesting a refund under Air Canada’s goodwill policy or under the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).
4. Keep evidence: Save all correspondence, booking confirmations, and waiver notices.
5. Expect refund within 30 days: Per APPR requirements, Air Canada must process refunds within 30 days using your original payment method (unless you agree in writing to an alternative).
6. Follow up if delayed: If no response within 30 days, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).

Refund by Fare Type

• Refundable tickets: Full refund of the ticket price.
• Non-refundable / Basic Economy: Airline-initiated cancellation triggers refund eligibility despite fare restrictions.
• Taxes and fees: Refunded as part of the full ticket price.

Important: If you have already purchased alternative flights or incurred expenses due to the cancellation, document these costs. You may be entitled to additional compensation under the Montreal Convention if you meet eligibility criteria.

How to Rebook Your Flight

Option A: Self-Service Rebooking

1. Visit Air Canada’s Rebook page
2. Enter your booking reference and passenger name
3. Select a new flight from available options — same destination (September 8 – December 15, 2026) or an alternative destination in Europe, the UK, India, or Africa (May 1 – December 15, 2026)
4. Confirm the new booking — no change fee will be applied
5. Check your email for the updated itinerary

Option B: Phone Rebooking

1. Call Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 or +1 514-393-3333
2. Have your booking reference ready
3. Tell the agent you are rebooking a cancelled flight due to the Middle East suspension
4. Request available flights that work for your schedule
5. If you are flexible on destination, ask about routing through Europe, the UK, India, or Africa
6. The agent will process the rebooking at no cost

Option C: Rebook via Another Airline

Under Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations, Air Canada must rebook you on the next available reasonable option — first on its own flights or those of a partner airline. For disruptions within its control, if that flight would depart more than 9 hours after your original departure time, it must rebook you on another airline. If it cannot rebook you from the same airport within 48 hours, it may need to reroute you from a nearby airport and cover the transfer.

Contact Air Canada to explore these options. Eligible changes are free of charge, subject to seat availability in your original cabin.

If You Are Still in the Region

Tensions have flared again after a fresh Iranian attack on Kuwait’s main airport on 3 June 2026. Canada is urging Canadians in the affected region to follow official advisories closely and leave by commercial means while it is safe to do so.

The large-scale repatriation flights from earlier in the crisis have wound down, but consular support continues.

• Register: sign up with Registration of Canadians Abroad so the government can reach you with departure options.
• Monitor advisories: follow the Government of Canada’s Middle East situation page for the latest guidance.
• Emergencies: call the Emergency Watch and Response Centre at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls accepted).
• Book commercially: confirm whether Dubai Airport is open before booking, then use Wego to search flights home.

Your Rights as a Canadian Passenger

Two frameworks protect you: the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) and, for international flights, the Montreal Convention.

• Rebooking or refund: APPR gives you the right to either; a refund must be paid within 30 days using your original payment method.
• Compensation: unlikely here. Fixed APPR amounts ($400–$1,000 CAD) apply only to disruptions within the airline’s control — a military conflict or airspace closure falls outside that.
• Expenses: meals and hotels are not automatically owed in this kind of disruption, but keep your receipts for any later claim.
• Complaints: if Air Canada does not resolve your case within 30 days, escalate through the CTA complaint portal.
• Montreal Convention: on international routes, delay liability is capped at about US $8,400 and baggage at about US $2,000 per passenger, with roughly two years to file.

Travel Insurance Considerations

• Not covered: war, military action, and government airspace closures are excluded by most standard policies, so the cancellation itself usually is not covered.
• CFAR add-on: if you bought Cancel For Any Reason cover, you may recover part of your trip cost — check the wording.
• May still apply: medical, baggage-delay, and missed-connection benefits can pay out if you are stranded.
• Best route: for this crisis, an APPR refund or Montreal Convention claim is stronger than insurance — keep every receipt.

For the full picture, see our guide on whether travel insurance covers war-related flight cancellations.

Contact Information & Resources

Pro Tips for Getting the Best Outcome

• Act quickly: Early rebooking gives you more flight options. Wait too long and seats fill up — especially for the September–December 2026 window.
• Use multiple channels: Try self-service rebooking first, then call if you need personalised help.
• Document everything: Save all emails, booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and correspondence with Air Canada.
• Consider alternate airports: Flying out of Montreal (YUL) or Vancouver (YVR) may offer more options if Toronto is overbooked.
• Use Wego to compare alternatives: Check competitor airlines (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad) on Wego for pricing and availability. Note that these carriers are also operating reduced schedules.
• Know your 2-year window: You have 2 years to file APPR or Montreal Convention claims. Do not miss the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

My flight was cancelled. Do I automatically get a refund?

No, but you have the right to choose between rebooking and a refund. If Air Canada’s rebooking offer does not suit your needs, you can request a cash refund, which must be processed within 30 days under APPR.

Will Air Canada pay compensation for this cancellation?

Likely no. The military conflict is classified as an extraordinary circumstance beyond the airline’s control. However, you still get a refund or rebooking, and you can claim reimbursement for proven expenses (meals, accommodation, etc.) under the Montreal Convention.

I’m stranded in the Middle East. What do I do?

Register with Global Affairs Canada at travel.gc.ca/registration, monitor the Canadian Embassy for updates, and leave by commercial means while it is safe to do so. Earlier government-assisted departures have wound down, and the security situation remains volatile after the 3 June attack on Kuwait’s airport. For emergencies, call +1 613-996-8885.

Does travel insurance cover this cancellation?

Standard travel insurance excludes war and military action. Unless you purchased Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, your policy likely will not cover the cancellation itself. Pursue APPR and Montreal Convention claims for refunds and damages instead.

Can I claim for hotel or meal costs if I’m stuck?

Keep all receipts. Reimbursement is not automatic in a crisis-related disruption, but the documentation may help with a later Montreal Convention claim, goodwill request from Air Canada, or insurance review.

When will Air Canada flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv resume?

Air Canada has suspended service until at least September 7, 2026. An April ceasefire has come under repeated strain — including a fresh attack on Kuwait’s airport on 3 June — and Air Canada has not announced a firm resumption date. Monitor Air Canada’s status on Wego and Air Canada’s official website for updates.

Sources

1. Air Canada — Military Situation in the Middle East
2. Air Canada — Flexible Rebooking Policy: Dubai and Tel Aviv
3. Global Affairs Canada — Conflict in the Middle East: Information for Canadians
4. Government of Canada — Travel Advisory: United Arab Emirates
5. Government of Canada — Travel Advisory: Israel and Palestine
6. Government of Canada — Travel Advisory: Kuwait
7. Canadian Transportation Agency — Air Passenger Protection Regulations
8. Canadian Transportation Agency — Air Passenger Protection Complaint Portal
9. Government of Canada — Canadian Embassy, UAE
10. Canadian Transportation Agency — Limits of Liability (Montreal Convention)
11. The National — Kuwait Suspends Commercial Flights After Airport Attack (3 June 2026)
12. Dubai Airports — Official Website

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.