TORONTO: Air Canada has announced it will expand its seasonal direct flights from Vancouver to Delhi to a year-round schedule.
The airline said the year-round service will begin June 8, 2018 and that they are now available for booking beginning Tuesday, reports Vancouver Sun.
Benjamin Smith, president of passenger airlines, said customer response to the non-stop route since it launched in 2016 had been “extremely positive” and that the airline was pleased to be the only direct flight between Western Canada and India’s capital territory.
“Our non-stop Vancouver to Delhi flights together with our non-stop Toronto to Delhi and Mumbai flights represent three year-round routes to India launched within the last two and a half years,” said Smith in a statement announcing the news.
“Air Canada is committing close to $1.5 billion worth of aircraft between Canada and India, underscoring our commitment to this vibrant market and to our continuing strategic, global expansion.”
Beginning in June, the year-round service will depart Vancouver Airport on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1:30 a.m. Flights returning to Vancouver will depart Delhi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6:10 a.m.
The direct flights are offered onboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a total travel time of about 14 hours non-stop.
B.C. Premier John Horgan also noted the tourism benefit of the expanded service.
