Air Canada has announced a partnership with Flydubai that will offer more options for travellers headed to destinations in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Southern Asia.

Mark Galardo, Air Canada's executive vice-president for revenue and network planning, says the partnership complements the airline's non-stop service to Dubai from Toronto and Vancouver.

Under the deal, an Air Canada marketing code will be placed on nine Flydubai routes from Dubai that will give travellers the ability to travel to those markets with the issuance of a single ticket.

The agreement also includes an interline arrangement that will see customers easily connect in Dubai to more than 60 destinations served by Flydubai.

The airlines say more than 30 of those destinations are not flown to by Air Canada's other partners.

They also say they plan on improving the connection process in Dubai and are working toward introducing expanded features and benefits for loyalty program members.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2023.