Job Summary

The Ramp Agent (Station Attendant) at Air Canada is a high-energy, physically demanding role at the core of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) operations. As part of the ground handling team, you are responsible for the “Symphony of the Tarmac”—the rapid, safe, and efficient turnaround of aircraft to ensure on-time departures. This position requires the “wit” to navigate complex safety protocols and the “grit” to perform heavy lifting in all of Toronto’s weather conditions, from humid summers to freezing winters.

Job Details

Employer: Air Canada (Airports Canada & CX Strategy Branch).
Location: Toronto, ON (On-site at YYZ).
Position Type: Full-time, Unionized (IAMAW).
Starting Salary: $23.36 per hour.
- Evening Premium: +$0.50/hour (18:00 – 23:00).
- Night Premium: +$1.00/hour (23:00 – 06:00).
Training: Fully paid, 9 to 10-week comprehensive program.
Experience: No previous experience required.

Core Responsibilities

- Aircraft Loading/Unloading: Collaborate with a crew to move baggage, freight, and mail between the terminal and the aircraft, ensuring weight and balance standards are met.
- Equipment Operation: Drive and operate heavy ground support equipment (GSE), including tugs, belt loaders, and bridge adapters on the active airfield.
- Baggage Logistics: Manage the flow of luggage in the baggage hall and ensure connecting bags are transferred to the correct flights for “Zero-Loss” transitions.
- Safety Stewardship: Maintain constant vigilance regarding flight safety and security protocols, protecting both the fleet and your fellow crew members.
- Tarmac Coordination: Execute a variety of tasks including aircraft marshaling, positioning ground power units, and assisting with pushback operations.

Candidate Requirements

Licensing: Must hold a valid driver’s license to operate heavy equipment.
Physicality: “Grit-heavy”—ability to repeatedly lift up to 32 kg (70 lb) and remain active in an outdoor, year-round environment.
Medical: Ability to pass a medical assessment, including drug and alcohol screening.
Availability: Must be available for rotating shifts over a 24-hour period, including weekends and holidays.
Security: Ability to obtain and maintain Transport Canada security clearances (RAIC).
Soft Skills: Punctuality, dependability, and strong communication skills are essential for the fast-paced ramp environment.

The Air Canada Employee Experience

Air Canada offers a robust “Total Rewards” package designed to support your lifestyle and career goals:

Travel Privileges: Access to world-class discounted travel rates for you, your family, and your friends across the global network.
Financial Wellbeing: Annual profit-sharing bonuses and a comprehensive pension plan.
Health & Mental Support: Benefit plans that extend beyond standard medical and dental to include mental health resources.
Career Pathing: Support for internal moves within aviation through development programs and tuition reimbursement.

Technical Insights: The Ramp Environment

Working on the ramp at Pearson requires a specific set of technical awareness skills:

FOD (Foreign Object Debris): Ramp agents are trained to identify and remove FOD—anything from a loose bolt to a piece of paper—that could be sucked into a jet engine.
Hearing Protection: Due to high decibel levels from jet turbines and heavy machinery, strict adherence to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is mandatory.
The “Critical Path”: You are part of a timed sequence. Every bag loaded and every door closed is a milestone toward a “D-Zero” (on-time) departure.

Job Description

Do you believe that the most exciting office in the world is the one under the wing of a Boeing 787? Air Canada is seeking Ramp Agents to join our Toronto ground crew. We aren’t just moving suitcases; we are the engine that keeps Canada’s flagship carrier moving safely and on time. If you have the “grit” to work through a February snowstorm and the “wit” to operate heavy machinery in a high-precision environment, you belong on our team.

In this role, you are an “Operations Specialist.” You understand that a single bag missed is a passenger’s disrupted vacation. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Motion,” ensuring every aircraft is loaded with “Integrity-first” care. We look for team players who thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment and are ready to take their careers to new heights.

Joining Air Canada means joining an iconic Canadian organization that values your contribution and invests in your future. With competitive pay, shift premiums, and legendary travel perks, this is the start of a journey that can take you around the world. If you are a dependable professional with a commitment to “Safety and Efficiency,” we invite you to apply and help us lead the way at YYZ.

Air Canada | The Toronto Global Hub & Urban Expansion

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline and the founding member of the Star Alliance. While headquartered in Montreal, Toronto is the airline’s primary global hub and the heart of its international operations. In 2026, the airline is in its “New Frontiers” growth phase, characterized by a massive expansion of its jet fleet, the return of key Asian routes, and a new strategic focus on “urban connectivity” through increased service at Toronto’s island airport.

The Toronto Hubs: YYZ and YTZ

Air Canada operates a dual-airport strategy in Toronto to capture both global long-haul traffic and time-sensitive business travelers.

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – The Global Hub: * Serving as the link to over 150 destinations, Pearson is where Air Canada bases its flagship Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A321XLR fleets.
- Premium Services: Includes the award-winning Air Canada Signature Suite (Terminal 1), three Maple Leaf Lounges, and two “Air Canada Cafés” designed for quick, high-quality grab-and-go service.
Billy Bishop Toronto City (YTZ) – The Urban Gateway: * In a major 2026 expansion, Air Canada has launched non-stop transborder service from the island airport to New York (LGA), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), and Washington (IAD), following the opening of U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance on-site.

2026 Network & Innovation

Route Status	Destination	Frequency / Timing
New 2026 Return	Shanghai (PVG)	4x weekly (Starting June 3, year-round).
New 2026 Return	Budapest (BUD)	4x weekly (June 5 – Oct 23).
Capacity Increase	Prague (PRG)	Increased to 4x weekly for Summer 2026.
New Intermodal	Landline Motorcoach	26 daily departures connecting YYZ to Niagara, Sarnia, and Muskoka.

The “LIFT” Program: Air Canada is the launch partner for Pearson’s “LIFT” infrastructure project, which integrates AI-driven baggage handling and biometric boarding to “build the airport of the future.”

Company Culture: “Care, Class, and Community”

Air Canada’s culture in 2026 is recognized for its high standards of inclusion, having been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the eighth time in a decade.

Leadership Commitments: Managers are trained on three pillars: Inspire our people, Enable performance, and Find solutions.
Diversity & Belonging: The airline maintains robust Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) including the Black Aviation Professional Network and Elevate Aviation (focused on gender diversity).
Sustainability Goal: A committed path toward net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, with 2026 focusing on the deployment of more fuel-efficient “game-changing” A321XLR aircraft.

Associate Benefits: “The Global Citizen Package”

As a “Top Employer for Young People” in 2026, Air Canada offers a rewards structure built for career mobility:

Travel Privileges: The signature perk—employees and their families enjoy deeply discounted standby travel on Air Canada and 45+ partner airlines.
Total Rewards (2026 Estimates):
- Bilingual Customer Service: $22.00 – $27.00/hr.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers: $38.00 – $52.00/hr.
- Product Innovation/Tech (Downtown Office): $98,000 – $135,000.
Financial Incentives: Features a profit-sharing plan that pays out when the company meets its annual corporate and individual performance targets.
Well-being (UBY): The “Unlock the Best in You” platform provides personalized mental health, nutrition, and financial literacy tools.
Development: Includes a “Buddy System” for new hires, paid internships for post-secondary students, and tuition assistance for continuous learning.

Toronto Office Locations

Toronto Pearson Hub: 6400 Airport Rd, Mississauga (Operational & Maintenance headquarters).
Downtown Corporate Office: 2 Queen Street East (recently doubled in size to occupy two full floors, featuring open-concept “think tanks” and a product innovation room).

To apply for this job please visit careers.aircanada.com.