In
an unexpected announcement, Air Canada (IATA code AC) announced resumption of
services to New Delhi (IATA code: DEL) beginning November’15. (Winter
Schedule-2015). The flights will be operated by B787 Dreamliner aircraft, and
the press release claims this will be the first route with the longer range
B787-9, which will operate on two of three weekly services proposed by the
airline.
The
airline will operate this non-stop service four times a week,
Flight
|
From
|
To
|
Depart
|
Arrive
|
Days
of the week
|
AC050
|
Toronto
|
Delhi
|
20:55
|
21:15
(+ 1 day)
|
Monday*,
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
|
AC051
|
Delhi
|
Toronto
|
00:45
|
05:00
|
Tuesday,
Wednesday*,Thursday, Sunday
|
Departure
from Toronto on Monday & from Delhi on Wednesday will be operated by
B787-800.
Historic and current
links to Canada
While
Air India operated Amritsar – Delhi – Toronto flight, the same was pulled out
owning to heavy losses in May’12. Air Canada also,in the past operated flights
on the Toronto – Delhi sector. Both the airlines had flown this route with the
B777 variants and Air Canada will benefit from the favorable economics of the
B787 over the B777.
Currently
only Jet Airways operates a flight to Toronto, via its hub at Brussels from
Delhi, with connections from Mumbai. With
talks of Jet Airways shifting its hub from Brussels to Amsterdam or to Abu
Dhabi, the future of flights to Toronto would be in question.
B787 – Dreamliner
The
aircraft has its share of problems across the globe, including with Indian
national carrier Air India. While Air India has two class configurations, Air
Canada has configured its Dreamliner’s (B787-800 variant) in three class
configurations with 20 Business, 21 Premium Economy and 210 Economy class
seats. The Star Alliance member is yet to reveal the configurations of its longer
B787-900 variant.
While
the B787-900 will have wingspan and fuselage same as those of the -800 variant,
it is expected to be longer by 6 meters and higher Maximum Take Off Weight
(MTOW), with a range of 15372km, compared to 14500km of the smaller B787-800 variant.
Delhi Hub &
Connectivity
Not
long ago, Star Alliance had made intentions clear about having a hub at Delhi
along with Mumbai. Clearly the entry of Air India in Star Alliance is helping
Delhi develop itself as a hub, along with attracting global traffic.
As
per existing schedules of Air India, the inbound flight would connect to
multiple destinations
Inbound
|
|
Connection Time
|
Destination
|
1 - 3 hours
|
Mumbai(AI), HongKong(AI), Bangkok(TG)
|
3 - 6 hours
|
|
6 - 9 hours
|
Ahmedabad(AI), Lucknow(AI), Pune(AI)
|
9+ hours
|
Khatmandu(AI), Hyderabad(AI), Chennai(AI), Kolkata(AI),
Kochi(AI)
|
Outbound
|
|
Connection Time
|
Destination
|
1 - 3 hours
|
Chennai(AI), Mumbai(AI), Ahmedabad(AI), Kochi(AI), Kolkata(AI),
Bangkok(TG)
|
3 - 6 hours
|
Singapore(SQ), Pune(AI), Hongkong(AI), Lucknow(AI)
|
6 - 9 hours
|
|
9+ hours
|
|
Re-timings
would help Air Canada connect both ways to Singapore on Singapore Airlines,
while it would already connect to Bangkok on Thai Airways – both Star Alliance
members.
Concerns
While
this new link is a welcome move, the traffic between Canada & India has
remained stagnant for a while. The traffic patterns are mainly seasonal and
there are ample options available via Europe, Middle East & the USA.
Resistance
of Canadian government to grant more rights to Middle Eastern carriers and
requirement of US visa for transit would benefit this non-stop service of Air Canada.
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