Air Canada's Delhi & Dubai routes set to soar

Anticipation continues to build for Air Canada’s long-awaited non-stop service to Delhi and Dubai, and the airline continued to fuel the fire with a launch event for trade partners last night.

The new routes, due to commence this November, have been the subject of much excitement since the announcement for the dedicated service in December 2014, and at the event, held to showcase both Delhi and Dubai through cuisine and entertainment, the excitement was palpable.

“We have the right mix of aircraft, the right mix of schedule, and the right mix of product for these markets,” Vijay Bathija, vice-president commercial for Air Canada told PAX. “And the markets are maturing, so we’re very excited.”

According to Bathija, Air Canada is looking forward to a successful return on what Duncan Bureau, vice-president, global sales at Air Canada, quoted to be a $150 million asset, thanks in part to the airline’s new Dreamliner 787-9, which will service both destinations and allow for direct flights from Toronto.

“We’ve tailored the product to those particular markets,” Bathija said. “Passengers flying to Delhi can look forward to the traditional Air Canada service, but in addition to that, they can also enjoy Bollywood movies, and Indian food onboard.”

While comfort for the long-haul flights is a priority for the airline, the ability to provide non-stop service is, according to Bureau, is key.

“Historically, we had to connect over Frankfurt or London,” he recalled. “The addition of the new 787-9 aircraft will allow us to operate the only non-stop service from Toronto to Delhi, and in terms of Dubai, with all the activity and investment going on there, we think it’s a great market for a business traveller. They’re a great fit for our network.”

With both Delhi and Dubai gaining notoriety and acclaim as international hubs for both business and leisure travel, Bureau told PAX that the decision to provide non-stop service was a strategic move to extend the airline’s network that couldn’t have been done without backing from its partners.

 “Air Canada has invested in these markets,” he said, “and so we want – and need – the support of the travel trade to make them successful.”

While the main focus of the evening was centered around various prize draws for flights, hotel stays and safaris in the destinations in promotion of the routes, the real showstopper was when Bathija took to the floor with Bureau and Anil Oraw, director, India Tourism Toronto, for some Bollywood dancing, celebrating the launch and ending the evening with bang. 

Air Canada’s four-times-weekly service to Delhi will begin Nov. 1 2015, and will increase to daily non-stop service beginning October 20, 2016:

The airline’s three-times-weekly service to Dubai starts on Nov. 3, 2015:

*All flights operate with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner except where noted by (*) which are Boeing 787-8 service