The Indian government has asked the Canadian government to lift ban on direct flights from Delhi. It may be noted that Canada had imposed ban on flights to and from India in April in the wake of surging covid cases in India.

The ban has been extended twice since April. The Indian high commission has pointed out that the ban is causing inconvenience for people, very specifically the Indian students. The Indian government has requested for early resumption of flights under air corridor arrangement that came into place in the summer of 2020.

The existing ban is to expire on 21st July unless extended. India has also pointed out that there is an extreme decline in covid cases and that the recovery rate has also jumped to a great extent. Indian high commissioner Bisaria tweeted that it is important to rapidly normalise mobility for economic recovery, for achieving normalcy in business and education.

Bisaria also held meetings with officials from Air India and Air Canada. Before the ban was enforced, the two national carriers were operating almost daily flights between New Delhi and the Canadian cities of Toronto and Vancouver.

Indian officials also laid emphasis on the fact that students who wish to commence their studies in Canada for the semester beginning in September need to arrive well in time for their preparations.

(media reports)