The Hindu Business Line : Air Canada plans daily non-stop flight on Delhi-Toronto route

THE Canadian airline, Air Canada, plans to revert to operating a daily non-stop flight on the Toronto-Delhi-Toronto sector from the end of October this year.

The airlines General Manager, India, Mr Ratindra S. Jang, told Business Line that the introduction of the winter schedule would see Air Canada reverting to operating a daily non-stop flight between Delhi and Toronto. At present, it operates non-stop flights five-times-a-week on the India-Canada route.

Besides, the introduction of the winter schedule will also offer the passengers of flying in what is termed as the world's longest-range airliner by the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus — the Airbus A-340-500 aircraft.

The airline plans to operate two types of aircraft — the Airbus A-340-300 and the Airbus A-340-500 — on the route. The Airbus A-340-500 can seat 228 passengers in economy class and 42 in business class. In addition, passengers in both economy and business class can also enjoy a variety of comforts, including a flat bed in business class.

The airline plans to utilise this aircraft on the route at least three-times-a-week. However, for the month beginning December 10 this year, it will operate only the Airbus A-340-300 aircraft on the route.

Air Canada resumed operations to India in October last year. It had earlier withdrawn from the country in 1999 due to a variety of reasons. At present, it is the only airline to offer non-stop services between the two countries although Air India is said to be examining the possibility of re-starting operations to Canada.

In the past, the route has also been served by the private sector airline, Canada 3000, which also operated non-stop services between the two countries.