Direct flights from India to Canada likely to resume from September 27

Direct flights from India to Canada will likely resume from September 27, but there’s a catch. The ongoing flight ban, which has been in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would be lifted only on the basis of the results of COVID0-19 tests that will be conducted on arrival in Canada on passengers travelling from New Delhi on three flights on Wednesday.

Referring to this, the Canada Government issued a statement stating, “As a first step, on Wednesday (Sept 22), three direct flights from India will arrive in Canada and all passengers on these flights will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival to ensure that the new measures are working." Now unless the on-arrival tests of people flying in from India to Canada on Wednesday throw up different results from the one at Delhi Airport on departure, it is likely that direct flights will resume from Sunday.
As reported earlier, the India-to-Canada direct flight ban, expired on September 21, which has been further extended by Transport Canada until September 26.
Reportedly, if a high number of positive Covid-19 results are registered, the planned lifting of the direct flight ban on September 27 will then be again reconsidered. The Transport Canada added, “Border and public health measures also remain subject to change as the epidemiological situation evolves.”

The Canada Government’s statement also added, “After the resumption of direct flights, travellers who are eligible to enter Canada who depart India for Canada via an indirect route will continue to be required to obtain, within 72 hours of departure, a valid negative Covid-19 molecular test from a third country – other than India – before continuing their journey to Canada.”
Further, as regarding the additional conditions that will travellers from India will have to fulfill once the flight ban is lifted are they will have to take a molecular test for COVID-19 from the Canada-approved Genestrings lab at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, and will only be allowed to board the plane if their result is negative.

Take note that COVID-19 tests from any other lab in India will not be recognised for travel to Canada.