Air Canada adds seasonal Vancouver schedule after Toronto - Delhi link takes-off

Star Alliance member Air Canada is to introduce a seasonal service between Vancouver and Delhi during the winter 2016/2017 schedule following the successful introduction last year of four times weekly flights to the Indian city from its Lester B Pearson International Airport hub in Toronto.

The airline will offer the only non-stop flights between Vancouver and Delhi when it debuts the three times weekly route beginning October 20, 2016, in time for Diwali festivities. The service will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner equipment and will offer the fastest elapsed flying time into the India from Calgary, Edmonton and the US West Coast cities of Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles.

Air Canada has previously served the Vancouver – Delhi market via London Heathrow, but suspended this routing in 1999. The now defunct Canadian leisure carrier Canada 3000 Airlines also served the market in October 2001 using an Airbus A340-300.

"Customer response to our Toronto-Delhi service has been extremely positive, and with this new seasonal Vancouver route, we are strategically increasing our presence in the important Asia-Pacific market in time for Diwali festival celebrations,” said Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines, Air Canada.

Vancouver has become a key gateway hub for Transpacific travel to and from North America and Air Canada highlights the operating economics of its new fleet of Dreamliners, together with the efforts of the Vancouver Airport Authority to maintain low airport operating costs, have enabled the carrier grow its activities from Vancouver International Airport.

The new flight will operate between October 20, 2016 and April 8, 2017 and will introduce almost 1,800 additional two-way seats into the Canada – India market each week with Air Canada configuring its 787-9s with 30 International Business Class lie-flat pod suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats.

The cultural ties between India and British Columbia reach back 100 years, and with increasing trade and investment links, those ties are growing stronger every year. "Our community has requested this Vancouver - Delhi route for many years and it will be a pleasure to celebrate its arrival during Diwali,” said Craig Richmond, president and chief executive officer, Vancouver International Airport.

Air Canada has seen strong support for its Toronto – Delhi route and this new seasonal schedule to/from Vancouver will complement this operation supporting the sizeable O&D demand between and providing efficient connection options from both Canada and the United States. Approximately 385 passengers a day are currently flying indirectly between Vancouver and Delhi.

As a result of its ongoing expansion, Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 55 in the United States and 87 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Last year, alongside the Toronto – Delhi route it introduced international services on Vancouver - Osaka, Toronto - Amsterdam, Toronto - Dubai, Montreal - Venice and Montreal – Mexico City.

This summer the carrier will be launching new international services on Vancouver - Brisbane, Vancouver - Dublin, Toronto - Prague, Toronto - Budapest, Toronto - Warsaw, Toronto - Glasgow, Toronto - London Gatwick, Toronto - Seoul, Montreal - Casablanca and Montreal - Lyon.