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GURUGRAM- Tata-owned Air India (AI) has scheduled additional flights to complement its existing daily Delhi (DEL)-Toronto (YYZ), Canada service.
The full-service carrier has scheduled 3x weekly flights between Delhi and Toronto Pearson from September 1, 2024. Furthermore, it now has scheduled another 4x weekly flights from November 4, 2024. With this, the daily DEL-YYZ service will become double daily.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Air India Canada Flights
Campbell Wilson-led Air India currently operates daily flights between Delhi and Toronto using Boeing 777-300ER. Further, the DEL-YYZ is the 10th longest route from India.
Here’s the flight schedule:
- Flight AI 187 departs from DEL at 2:55 and arrives at YYZ at 7:45 the same day after staying airborne for 15 hrs and 20 mins.
- The return flight AI 188 departs YYZ at 11:55 and arrives at DEL at 12:00 the next day after 13 hrs and 35 mins.
Note: All times mentioned here are local time.
Well, from September 1, 2024, Air India will operate three additional weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Here’s the flight schedule:
- Flight AI 189 departs from DEL at 15:15 and arrives at YYZ at 19:35 after 14 hrs and 50 mins.
- While the return flight AI 190 departs from YYZ at 00:10 and arrives at DEL at 00:35 the next day after 13 hrs and 55 mins.
Now the question arises, from where the Air India get the additional 777-300ER? It’s simple, remember Air India has announced the deployment of its brand new Airbus A350s to London Heathrow (LHR) from September 1, 2024. This coincides with these additional flights.
So the freed-up 777-300ER will be utilized to operate 3x weekly flights.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Double Daily from November
Again from November 4, 2024, the only Indian carrier serving North America will operate four additional weekly flights on days that are missed in weeks, i.e. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight schedule remains the same as it will bear the same flight number AI 189/190.
Well, how do they get more 777s, from November 1, 2024, Air India will deploy A350 on its Delhi-New York (JFK) route. This will free up 777-300ERs correctly serving this route.
So, once Air India gets more A350s and 777Xs, it will strengthen its existing long-haul network with older aircraft. Subsequently, it will utilize new aircraft in high-demand routes and fly to new destinations.
Also Read: Where Could Air India Fly its Airbus A350s? | Exclusive – Aviation A2Z
From January 2, 2025, Air India will also operate the Delhi-Newark (EWR) route with A350s. This will free up more 777s and could be utilized to increase frequency on existing routes.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)Delhi-Toronto Market Overview
Air India began flying to Toronto in 2009 until 2012. But it returned in 2019 and since then it has been operating daily flights and soon double daily.
According to Simple Flying, The Delhi-Toronto point-to-point market grew from 482,000 passengers in 2019 to 763,000 in 2023, a 58% increase. Daily passenger numbers rose from 660 to 1,045, establishing the route as one of the fastest-growing long-haul markets globally.
This growth stems from India-Canada migration policies implemented since 2017, including free healthcare and work permits for Indian graduates.
While most passengers still transit through Europe, the US, and the Middle East, direct services are expanding. Air India’s frequency on the Delhi-Toronto route has evolved significantly:
- In 2019, Air India operated three weekly flights, complementing Air Canada’s (AC) daily service.
- By 2022, Air India will match Air Canada with daily flights.
- This schedule continued through 2023. For 2024, Air India plans to double daily flights starting November, while Air Canada maintains its daily operations.
Photo: Vimanspotter/Utkarsh ThakkarDouble Growth Since 2019
Air India expands North American operations, scheduling 67 weekly non-stop flights between India and the US/Canada for September.
Cirium data reveals a 10% increase from 61 weekly flights last September. Compared to September 2019, the airline more than doubled its service, growing from 33 to 67 weekly flights, marking a 103% expansion.
At last, to conclude, Air India is optimizing its network as it prepares to receive new widebody aircraft. This is just a beginning and the best is about to come.
Special thanks to Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter) for providing breathtaking and stunning photos of Air India 777-300ERs. Go follow the best avgeek on the planet and check out his recent posts on his Canada-US trip.
What are your thoughts on Air India’s North American expansion? Will they beat its rivals that transit traffic via the Middle East and Europe? Let us know in the comments.
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