India-Canada airfare go through the roof amid rising tensions

In the wake of escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, last-minute airfares between the two countries are going through the roof. Data from travel portals show that on-the-spot fares for a direct flight from New Delhi to Toronto are above Rs1.45 lacs while fares for flights from Toronto to New Delhi have crossed Rs1.01 lacs. Meanwhile, flights between New Delhi and Montreal can now cost up to Rs1.55 lacs and over Rs1.16 lacs on the opposite route. People planning a trip to Vancouver will need to shell out Rs1.33 lacs for late bookings. Travel portals have reported a 25 per cent spike in last-minute airfares. Tourists as well as people trying to visit friends and families are contributing to the spike in last-minute bookings. Relations between India and Canada have hit rock bottom after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India has links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian nationals as tensions between the two countries escalated following Justin Trudeau’s allegation of India’s link to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. “Operational reasons” have been cited for the suspension of visa services for Canadians “till further notice”. BLS International, a visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its website: “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates,” read a notification on the official website of ‘India Visa Application Center Canada’.