India and Canada have expanded the Open Skies agreement giving the airlines unlimited flying rights between the two countries. As a part of the new agreement, airlines will not have to restrict themselves to a cap of 35 weekly flights and will be able to operate as many flights as possible between key cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
This decision is considered a huge step forward for the two countries that were protective of their air rights for years. India and Canada are tightly linked countries, with a constant stream of leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives. More direct flights will be welcomed by all stakeholders.
The agreement gives Canadian air carriers access to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, and Indian air carriers access to Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, and two additional points to be selected by India. Other cities in both countries can be served indirectly through code-share services. The officials of both countries are in contact to discuss further expansion of the agreement.
Canada’s Minister of Transport said: “The expanded air transport agreement between Canada and India is a positive development for air transport relations between our countries. We are pleased to expand this relationship with additional flexibility for airlines to serve this growing market. By making the movement of goods and people faster and easier, this expanded agreement will continue to facilitate trade and investment between Canada and India and help our businesses grow and succeed.”
This decision is certainly viewed as a positive step by flag carriers Air Inda and Air Canada. Recently Air India announced a daily flight from Delhi to Vancouver starting in summer 2023, while Air Canada is also planning to expand its capacity to India.