After months of delay, Air Canada has finally restarted direct non-stop flights to India from Canada and vice versa. Direct connectivity has resumed at last between Canada and India. Canada has started direct flights to and from India after approximately 5 months with a new set of rules. Now, WHO-approved vaccinated passengers need to undergo an RT- PCR test or a rapid PCR test within 18 hours of boarding the flights from the COVID- 19 testing centre and lounge at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport.
Only these 2 specific tests (RT- PCR and rapid PCR) are to be accepted by Air Canada, as it will not accept tests from any other clinics within India. This applies even if you’re connecting from a different city. Additionally, if you provide proof of a certified positive PCR test result taken between 14 to 180 days before your scheduled departure flight to Canada, you may be able to travel, as mentioned by Air Canada on its website under ‘testing requirements for flights from India.’
The protocol for negative RT- PCR test report from the 3rd country has been dropped. The first flight post resuming is AC 42 (Toronto- Delhi) that is landing at its destination at about 9 p.m. on Monday and will fly people from there, starting Tuesday. Delhi- Vancouver and Delhi- Toronto non-stop flights could soon be started by Air India.
Air Canada has also informed travel partners about other conditions regarding travel for passengers that remain. The ones given below are the basic requirements:
- Only vaccines of Pfizer/ Covishield/Johnson/ Moderna are recognized by Canada.
- All passengers must be double and fully vaccinated.
- Required documents must be uploaded prior to departure on this
- For further updates and details, please visit Government of Canada’s website.
What Occurred Before Resumption Of Flights?
During the deadly second wave of the pandemic COVID- 19, Canada had suspended all private and commercial passenger flights since 23rd April, 2021. The restriction ended on 21st September 2021. Since the restriction, passengers had to travel via a 3rd country where they had to get a negative RT- PCR test in the transit country, before continuing on their last leg of the journey to Canada.
Now, thanks to Air Canada mentioning new travel requirements, passengers no longer have to travel via a 3rd transit country and save costs when they book their airline tickets to India and vice versa.
What Can Be Done Now That Direct Flights Are Resuming?
In order to receive the results on time, passengers from Delhi need to book their RT- PCR test no later than 6 hours before their departing flight, prior to travel. If they are travelling signature class, they need to look for the dedicated section at the testing facility. For further assistance, airport check-in counters will be open 6 hours prior to the departure.
