An Air Canada Boeing 787-9 aircraft takes off from Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 31, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck - The Canadian PressMONTREAL — Air Canada shares are taking flight after the country's largest airline announced it would sell a quarter of its Aeroplan loyalty program to Blackstone and a group of Canadian pension funds for $2.5 billion. Air Canada says it will maintain full control of the travel reward program's day-to-day operations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026. Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press