India and Canada closed a landmark open skies agreement that will enable airlines from both countries to fly unlimited flights between key cities.

The agreement gives Canadian airlines access to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, and Indian airlines access to Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver and two additional points to be selected by India.

Canada’s first air transport agreement with India was concluded in 1982 and last extended in 2011. This time it was achieved thanks to Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which encourages long-term sustainable competition and the development of international air services.

«The Canada-India economic relationship is based on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. With this expanded air transport agreement, we are further facilitating exchanges of professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and investors,» said Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.

The Indian diaspora in Canada numbers more than one million people, concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. Other provinces such as Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia also have a growing Indian Canadian community.

The close bond increases the steady flow of leisure, business and VFR (visiting friends and family) visitors. India is Canada’s fourth largest international air transport market.

«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,» said Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Minister of Transport.

The new rights under the expanded agreement are available for use by the airlines immediately.

Air Canada and Air India expansion plans

According to Transport Canada, more than 400,000 passengers moved between the two countries in 2019.

But traffic is much higher considering connections through other hubs. Anna.aero, with data obtained by OAG Traffic Analyzer, reported that 1.76 million round-trip passengers were mobilized in 2019, where 87% flew with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and British Airways.

Currently, Air India operates from Delhi (DEL) to Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) with seven weekly flights each route. On the other hand, Air Canada operates from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Delhi (DEL) with seven and three weekly flights respectively; during the winter season it operates between Bombay (BOM) and Toronto (YYZ) with a stopover at London/Heathrow (LHR).