YVR Lights Up With the First Non-Stop Flight From Vancouver to Delhi

New service strengthens YVR as Air Canadas preferred transpacific hub

Richmond, B.C. (October 20, 2016): Today, Vancouver Airport Authority celebrated Air
Canadas inaugural seasonal three-time weekly service to Indira Gandhi International
Airport (DEL) from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The highly anticipated service
marks the first non-stop flight from Vancouver to India and highlights YVRs continued
growth as a premier connecting hub between Asia and the Americas.
Thanks to Air Canadas commitment to growth out of its preferred transpacific hub, YVR
has a direct link to one of the most iconic cultural centres and economic hubs in India,
said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. This service has long
been requested by our community. The much coveted route opens up access to key
markets in business and travel and creates more jobs and opportunities for our
communities.
Just in time for the vibrant festivities of Diwali, this new route is made possible by
advances in aircraft technology allowing lighter aircrafts to fly further while requiring less
fuel thereby improving the economic viability of the route. Air Canada will operate a
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring 30 International Business Class lie-flat pod suites, 21
Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats with upgraded in-flight entertainment.
We are delighted to inaugurate our second route between Canada and India right in time
for Diwali celebrations. Our non-stop flights from our Asia-Pacific Vancouver hub feature
787-9 Dreamliner service and offer the shortest elapsed flying time from Vancouver,
Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles to the Indian subcontinent, said
Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. Our non-stop flight, coupled
with our streamlined and seamless connections process at YVR translates to a savings of
3-5 hours compared to itineraries with connections in Europe or Asia.
Were also excited to offer all our customers contemporary, inspired Indian dishes by
celebrated Vancouver Chef Vikram Vij in all cabins of service on our Vancouver-Delhi and
Toronto-Delhi flights, which complements the signature creations by internationally
renowned Canadian Chef David Hawksworth in our International Business Class. Our stateof-the-art aircraft, multi-lingual crews, onboard offerings, in-flight entertainment which
includes Bollywood hits and acclaimed multi-lingual art-house films, together with our
extensive western Canada domestic and western US transborder network and the
seamless connection experience through YVR all position Air Canada and YVR to be the
preferred gateway hub for Pacific Northwest travel to and from India, concluded Mr.
Smith.

As a direct result of the new Vancouver to Delhi service, more than 90 jobs were created at
YVR and throughout British Columbia. And additional $5.4 million in Gross Domestic
Product, $1.9 million in taxes and $3.4 million in wages were added to the province.
Having B.C. and India directly linked by air will help facilitate trade and business
relationships as well as allow families and friends to come together more easily, said
British Columbia Finance Minister Michael de Jong. On behalf of the Province of B.C. Id
like to thank Air Canada and Vancouver Airport Authority for working to establish this
direct flight between B.C. and Delhi.
In 2015, close to 50% of passengers welcomed at YVR came on Air Canada aircraft. These
numbers reflect the airlines exceptional growth out of YVR in the last two years with new
routes to Osaka, Cancun, San Jose, San Diego, Chicago, Dublin, Brisbane and Delhi.
Looking ahead to 2017, Air Canada will launch three new international destinations
including daily service to Dallas Ft. Worth starting February 6, followed by thrice-weekly
service to Nagoya on June 1 and daily service to Taipei on June 8.
The flight departs YVR at 23:15, arriving in DEL at 01:55(+2) local time. It will depart DEL
at 06:55 and arrive at YVR at 08:20. Flight times will be adjusted in early November to
account for daylight savings. The flights are timed to optimize Air Canadas Western
Canada and US network through YVR.
-YVRAbout Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is the community-based, not-for-profit organization that
manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR
served more than 20 million passengers in 2015. Fifty-four airlines serve YVR, connecting
people and businesses to more than 120 non-stop destinations worldwide. YVR was voted
Best Airport in North America for the seventh consecutive year in the 2016 Skytrax World
Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2015
donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an
airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic
generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.
For further information:
YVR Media Relations
604.880.9815
media_relations@yvr.ca
Twitter: @yvrairport