Canadian Airlines was formed on March 27th, 1987, through a series of acquisitions and mergers of Pacific Western, Canadian Pacific (CP Air), Eastern Provincial Airways, and Nordair. In 1989, the airline further expanded its operations by acquiring Wardair, giving it access to new routes including destinations in the UK and Europe. With its headquarters in Calgary, Alberta and major hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canadian Airlines quickly built up a vast network of destinations across five continents. It was also the first airline to have its own website and was a founding member of the oneworld alliance with Qantas, American Airlines, and British Airways. Canadian Airlines operated a diverse fleet of 147 aircraft, including Airbus A310s, Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s, Boeing 747s, Boeing 767s, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, as well as turboprop aircraft through Canadian Regional Airlines. However, financial difficulties hit the airline in 1991 and 1998, leading to its acquisition by Air Canada in 2000. Canadian Airlines officially ceased operations on January 1st, 2001, despite competing bids for its survival, including a proposal from American Airlines. Today, Air Canada and WestJet are the largest airlines in Canada, with their own low-cost subsidiaries, Air Canada Rouge and Swoop, respectively. While Air Canada remains the dominant force in the Canadian airline market, smaller players such as WestJet and Air Transat also have a presence.
