Amidst the growing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, one sector remains surprisingly unaffected: aviation. Despite the recent expulsions of diplomats following a contentious diplomatic row, direct air connectivity between the two nations is not only thriving but reaching new heights. This winter, the number of weekly non-stop flights between India and Canada will hit a record 39, a 20% increase from December 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
This surge in flights signifies a robust demand for travel between the two countries. Forbes reports that Indian immigration to Canada has quadrupled since 2013, driven by factors like easier immigration procedures compared to the US. Moreover, the travel between the two nations is marked by seasonality. Many Indian-Canadians visit their families in India during Canada’s harsh winters and return for the summer months.
Airlines are capitalizing on this seasonal demand. Air India is operating 21 weekly flights to Canada, including twice-daily flights from Delhi to Toronto and a daily service to Vancouver. Air Canada is offering 18 non-stop flights, connecting Toronto and Montreal to Delhi, and four weekly flights from Toronto to Mumbai. The airline also offers a Calgary-Delhi route via London, providing additional options for travelers. This increase in flights follows a 2022 revision to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between India and Canada. This revision allows for unlimited flights between the two countries, marking a significant escalation from the previous cap of 35 weekly flights. While it doesn’t constitute a full open-skies agreement, it still allows for considerable expansion of air connectivity. The agreement restricts Canadian flights to six major Indian cities, while Indian carriers have access to Canada’s largest cities with flexibility for growth.
The airlines are deploying their largest aircraft for these routes. Air India, with its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER fleet, will offer 7,182 seats weekly between India and Canada. Air Canada, on the other hand, will utilize a combination of B777-200LR and 787-9 aircraft, providing 5,386 seats, with an additional 2,086 seats on the Delhi-London-Calgary route.
While the diplomatic landscape remains in flux, the booming aviation sector offers a contrasting perspective. The direction of the India-Canada relationship hinges on the diplomats’ ability to navigate backchannel discussions and reach consensus to ease the escalating tensions. For now, air travel remains a bridge connecting the two nations, defying the geopolitical storm brewing above.