Almost all Delhi-Toronto flights from March 3 to March 19 carried COVID-positive passengers into Canada, according to Health Canada data
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: Flights from India to Canada are bringing in the largest number of international passengers testing positive for COVID-19, according to Health Canada data.
There are twice daily flights between Toronto and Delhi, operated by Air India and Air Canada.
The data from March 3 to March 19 shows that almost all flights between Delhi and Toronto during the period carried COVID-positive passengers. All passengers in the three-row range of each COVID-positive person on the flight are deemed as impacted.
As many as 30 COVID-infected flights from Delhi have landed in Canada since March 4 — nine in Vancouver and 21 in Toronto.
Among the 21 flights landing in Toronto, 14 flights showed a minimum of six infected rows. The remaining seven flights had an unknown number of impacted rows.
The two most heavily infected flights from Delhi landed in Toronto on March 9 and 13.
The entire business-class and premium economy cabins on the Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight from Delhi on March 9 were reported affected. Except for eight rows, the economy class was also infected.
On March 13, the Air India flight landed with 22 out of 35 rows of its economy class infected.
In all, 106 COVID-infected flights have landed in Canada from various international destinations since March 4, making Indian-origin flights the biggest source of COVID-positive passengers.
Air travellers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding Canada-bound flights. They also undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Canadian air travellers returning home must quarantine for three days in government-approved hotels.
