Proposed Landline–Air Canada service could reconnect Sarnia to global flights

Sarnia City Council will consider moving forward with a new transportation partnership that could reconnect the community to Air Canada’s global network through a coach service operating out of Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport.

At the March 9, 2026 meeting, council will review a recommendation to approve agreements with The Landline Company and Air Canada, along with a potential funding and marketing partnership with Tourism Sarnia-Lambton.

If approved, the service would allow travellers to begin their Air Canada journeys directly from Sarnia, even though the first portion of the trip would be by luxury motorcoach rather than aircraft.

How the proposed service would work

Under the proposed model, passengers departing from Sarnia would check in at the airport with Air Canada staff, tag their luggage to their final destination, and board an Air Canada-branded motorcoach that would take them to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

From Pearson, travellers would connect to their scheduled flights just as they would with a traditional connecting flight.

The motorcoach portion would be fully integrated into Air Canada bookings, meaning passengers would receive itinerary protection. If delays occur, Air Canada would rebook travellers on the next available flight at no extra charge. Passengers would also earn Aeroplan points for both the bus and flight segments.

The coaches are expected to include features typically associated with premium travel, such as spacious leather seating in a 2-by-1 layout, high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, and tray tables.

Service schedule and route

The proposal includes two round trips per day between Sarnia and Toronto Pearson.

One departure would take place early in the morning with a return later in the day, while a second trip would leave in the early afternoon with an evening return. The timing is intended to maximize connections to domestic and international flights.

The route would also include a brief stop of about 10 minutes at the Kitchener-Waterloo Airport, which is already part of the Landline network.

Why the city is considering this option

Sarnia has been without scheduled commercial air service since 2020, and city staff have been in discussions with airlines since 2021 to explore options for restoring connectivity.

The Landline model has emerged as a potential solution used in other regional communities. The company operates motorcoach connections under airline branding, allowing smaller airports to offer access to major hubs without requiring direct flights.

Kingston introduced a similar service in 2025 after losing its Air Canada flights, and the model is already operating in Hamilton and Waterloo.

Costs and pilot program

The proposal would operate as a one-year pilot project, with a contract that allows either party to end the agreement with 60 days’ notice.

The city has budgeted up to $375,000 as a minimum revenue guarantee for the pilot. This funding would only be used if passenger revenue does not cover operating costs. If ridership is strong, some or all of the city’s contribution could be reimbursed.

City staff are also working with Tourism Sarnia-Lambton to potentially share part of the financial commitment using Municipal Accommodation Tax funding.

If council approves the agreements, the new service could begin operating as early as May 2026.