Once that happens, they said travel patterns should be similar to those in the United States, where a fast vaccine rollout and falling numbers of COVID-19 cases have driven a surge in travel demand.
Canada's largest carrier reported a loss of C$1.30 billion, compared with C$1.05 billion. Its shares rose 1.3% in early trading.
The news comes barely a day after Reuters reported that Transat was close to reaching a financial aid deal with the federal government involving a loan.
Transat said it would use C$390 million to support the company's liquidity needs until its business has recovered enough to generate cash and the rest to reimburse travelers.
The deal gives Ottawa a roughly 6pc stake in Canada's largest carrier at a discount of 14pc, which prompted several analysts to cut their price targets.
"Our target price declines due to the negative impact of greater short-term cash-burn and the impact of the dilution from the share and warrant issue on the price to equity component of our target," James added.
The Canadian government on Monday agreed to buy C$500 million worth of shares in the airline at C$23.1793 each.
Air Canada said that following the recent discussions with the European Commission (EC), it has become evident, however, that the EC will not approve the acquisition based on the offered remedy package.
Air Canada in February refused to extend the deadline for its C$188.7 million ($150.19 million) deal for Transat, after European regulators failed to give the go-ahead for the buyout.
Airlines have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis that has led people to avoid air travel.
Air Canada, which was forced to cut more than 20,000 jobs in 2020, has been negotiating with the Liberal government since November for aid to support jobs.
Canada said in December it expected to rescind its flight ban on the Boeing 737 MAX in January after approving design changes to the aircraft, which was grounded in March 2019.