GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has reduced its flight schedule between Canada and India in response to rising jet fuel prices, leaving travellers with fewer options and higher fares. The carrier confirmed cuts for April and May, with further reductions planned for June and July.
CEO Campbell Wilson outlined the changes in an internal staff memo. Round-trip flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) dropped to 31 in May from 48 in March, while service from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Delhi fell to roughly five per week from earlier daily operations.
Air India Cuts Toronto and Vancouver Flights
The schedule reduction affects two of Air India’s primary North American routes. According to aviation data tracker Cirium, round-trip flights between Toronto and Delhi declined by 35 percent, dropping from 48 in March to 31 in May.
Vancouver to Delhi service saw an even sharper contraction. The route operated daily earlier in 2026 but now offers about five round-trip per week.
Wilson indicated that additional schedule trims would follow in June and July as the airline continues to assess operating conditions, Toronto CityNews reported.
Jet Fuel Prices Drive Network Decisions
Wilson cited fuel costs as the primary reason for the cuts in his memo to staff. He stated that the rise in jet fuel prices, combined with airspace closures and extended flying routes, made several international flights unprofitable to operate.
Fuel prices currently sit near double the rate seen before the Iran conflict. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted Persian Gulf energy exports, sending costs higher across the global aviation sector. Multiple carriers have responded by raising fares, scrapping flights, and grounding aircraft.
The long-haul nature of Canada to India routes makes them particularly fuel-intensive. These sectors require heavier fuel uplifts than shorter regional flights, amplifying the financial impact of price increases.
Higher Fares Reshape Customer Demand
Air India has raised airfares and imposed fuel surcharges to offset the cost spike. Wilson acknowledged in the memo that elevated fares affect customer demand, limiting how far the airline can push prices before passengers cancel travel plans.
Average round-trip economy fares between Canada and Delhi reached $1,963 by late April, according to travel search site Kayak. This figure represents a 24 percent year-over-year increase.
International flights overall rose 11 percent during the same period, indicating that the Canada to India market faced a steeper price climb than the broader sector.
For most of January and February 2026, fares on the route had run lower than the previous year. The April figure marks a sharp reversal of that trend.
The 2021 census recorded approximately 1.4 million residents of Indian descent in Canada. India remains the leading source of immigration to the country, creating sustained demand for direct connectivity between the two nations.
Reduced capacity and higher fares now complicate travel plans for visiting family, attending weddings, and conducting business between the two regions. Travellers on both sides of the Pacific face a tougher decision on whether to book trips at current price levels.
Air Canada Maintains Toronto Service
Air Canada (AC) continues to operate daily flights between Toronto and Delhi. The carrier suspended its direct Vancouver to Delhi service during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not restored it.
With Air India scaling back, Air Canada becomes the primary direct option for travellers between Toronto and Delhi. Vancouver passengers face limited direct alternatives and may need to connect through Toronto or other hubs to reach the Indian capital.
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