DELHI – Air travel between Canada and India faces a harsh winter season as diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorate.
This comes on top of existing pressure from Canada’s reduction in student visa issuance.
Photo: Author credit
Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada
In 2023, more than 2.2 million passengers traveled between Canada and India. Air Canada (AC) and Air India (AI) dominated this market, capturing 45% of traffic. Despite the current challenges, airlines are expanding their winter schedules and increasing competition.
Air India plans to double the number of flights between Delhi and Toronto from November 1, adding three new flights. Air Canada will restart its seasonal Mumbai service and launch a new Calgary-Delhi service via London.
However, this expansion is occurring at a time of declining yields. One airline executive reported lower yields on India-Canada routes during the July-September period, typically the peak period for student travel. The executive cited Canada’s stricter visa policies as a major factor in the drop in demand.
Price pressure has increased, with some West Asian airlines offering incentives to travel agents to sell them lower fares. Another executive said 2023 will be a “difficult year” for the industry.
The India-Canada air travel market primarily serves students, immigrants, business travelers, and travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
Canada is also an important source of tourism for India, ranking as the fifth largest market and accounting for 4% of arrivals in 2023. However, this figure is largely made up of Indian-Canadians visiting family in India.
Photo: Written by BriYYZ, Toronto, Canada – Air Canada Airbus A330-300 C-GFAF, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67447893
A new stage in diplomatic tensions
India has recalled six diplomats from Canada, including its high commissioner. In retaliation, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats from its territory. These actions come amid heightened tensions over Canada’s approach to Sikh extremism within its borders.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement on Monday refuting the Canadian government’s claims. Canadian authorities had accused Indian diplomats of involvement in criminal activities. The MEA categorically dismissed these claims as “ridiculous impositions”.
The MEA said in a statement that the charges are due to what it considers to be the political aims of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
The Department of Indian Affairs suggested these allegations stemmed from “vote bank politics” and suggested the Canadian government’s actions were motivated by domestic political considerations rather than substantiated concerns.
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