Air Canada to Launch its First Polar Route with Non-Stop Vancouver-New Delhi Service, the Only Non-Stop Link Between North America and India

Effective October 19, 2001, Air Canada will commence four times weekly non-stop service between Vancouver and New Delhi.

The new service will inaugurate Air Canada's first polar route, shaving more than fours hours off traditional routings, and creating the only non-stop air service linking North America with India. The seasonal service, subject to regulatory approval, will be operated October through April with modern Airbus A340 aircraft featuring Air Canada's award winning Executive First and Hospitality service.

"We are delighted with the prospect of bringing the maple leaf back to New Delhi," said Executive Vice President Commercial, Lise Fournel. "The introduction of Air Canada's first-ever polar route will also create the first non-stop air link between North America and the Indian subcontinent. Our service will provide travellers with the fastest elapsed time between major west coast cities in North America and New Delhi. The seasonal service will be particularly attractive to the large Asian communities in Western Canada and the United States who have forged important links between North America and South Asia."

Air Canada flight AC061 leaves Vancouver at 1130 Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and arrives in New Delhi at 1545 the next day. From New Delhi, AC060 leaves at 1800 Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and arrives in Vancouver at 1915 the same day. Air Canada's schedule has been designed to ensure maximum convenience and a great choice of connecting flights between Vancouver and key Canadian and U.S. destinations.