20 March 2001
Following close on the heels of CANADA 3000 four weekly flights to Delhi from Vancouver and Toronto from October 17, Air Canada is starting similar non-stop flights between Vancouver and New Delhi two days later.
The competition is expected to significantly reduce airfares. Business travellers are expected to heave a sigh of relief as direct connections and frequencies are the prime reason for their decision in choosing an airline to a destination.
The two carriers using the polar route will reduce flying time by over four hours off traditional routings. The air services will link North America with India, tapping the added traffic. Air Canada, a seasonal service, will, subject to regulatory approval, operate from October through April with Airbus A340 aircraft. According to industry observers, Air Canada made this decision following its withdrawal from India a few years ago when it found the traffic "too seasonal and seats could not be filled the whole year round."
CANADA 3000 president Mr Angus Kinnear said: "We have a unique product as the Toronto-New Delhi flight will take just 12 hours." The carrier will fly its two A340 aircraft leased from Singapore Airlines over the north pole.