Ottawa: Air Canada has announced the suspension of all flight operations between Toronto and Dubai until at least May 1, 2026, citing the deteriorating security situation in West Asia. The airline confirmed on Saturday that services will only be reintroduced when safe passage can be guaranteed for its aircraft and passengers. To mitigate the impact on international travel, the carrier is increasing its capacity on routes to Delhi, providing alternative connections for travellers heading to and from Canada.
In contrast to the suspension by the Canadian flag carrier, Air India and Air India Express have maintained a robust flight schedule, operating 80 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to the West Asia region on March 14 alone. These operations include significant service to Jeddah and Muscat from major Indian hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, and Kozhikode. Furthermore, the two Indian carriers are operating 62 non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, contingent upon slot availability and local regulatory permissions.
The logistical challenges extend beyond flight cancellations. The Indian Embassy in Doha reported that nearly 500 Indian nationals recently travelled from Qatar to various destinations despite Qatar’s airspace being only partially open. Qatar Airways has been operating under limited conditions, primarily due to the broader regional crisis triggered by Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting military and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including sites in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
The ongoing hostilities have fundamentally disrupted global aviation and energy sectors. Beyond the immediate risks to commercial flights, the conflict has severely impacted energy trade routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply. As regional authorities and international airlines monitor the volatility, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of seafarers and passengers while navigating a rapidly collapsing security structure in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia regions.
