India and Canada increase the number of flights even as diplomatic ties are reduced

 

 

India-Canada diplomatic relations are becoming increasingly turbulent by the day. The rift between the two countries led to India withdrawing its diplomats and expelling six Canadian diplomats. Air traffic between the two countries has not been affected by the year-long diplomatic spat.

Amid the diplomatic spat between India and Canada, a huge increase in flights is expected in the coming winter season. According to a report prepared by aviation analytics company Cirium, there will be 39 weekly non-stop flights between India and Canada this December. The increase is 20 percent compared to December 2019. The number of Indians going to Canada has quadrupled since 2013. This has also led to the migration of Indians from the USA to Canada. With the arrival of severe winters in Canada, the number of air travelers rises during this time as expatriates visit India. Apart from non-stop flights, Indians are also opting for flights via European hubs and via the Middle East.

This winter, Air India has scheduled 21 weekly flights to Canada. There is a twice daily service from Delhi to Toronto and a daily service to Vancouver. On the other hand, Air Canada operates a daily service from Toronto and Montreal to Delhi and four times a week from Toronto to Mumbai. By 2022, India and Canada have decided to operate any number of air services between the two countries as per the bilateral air services agreement. Earlier there were 35 weekly flights.