In all these regulations I think our focus is to fly with the best value.
Recently all flights are expensive and Air Canada being in this situation would be very expensive too.
But let us acknowledge recent facts.
1. If you take a direct flight from India to Canada, it should be from Delhi because only IGI has the facility to do tests that are accepted by Canada.
If you have a domestic flight from your city to Delhi make sure you have a good layover to complete covid test requirements. This means you should also have resulted not just test. Here my only concern is if they can deliver test results in time for all passengers (ideally in 5-7 hr).
This kind of restriction has been there for UAE, see this link and check FAQs
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/faq#rapid-pcr
Overall If someone already has booked tickets for AC, they should arrive early at the airport to do tests. My flight is on 2 Oct at 00:05, so I would try to do a test at 3 PM on 1 Oct.
I also don't know what is difference RT PCR and Rapid PCR, If RT PCR results are provided in less than 8hr nobody wants to pay 3900 for Rapid PCR unless you are on a tight schedule.
2. For Indirect Route
You need Covid test results from a third country, basically where you have layovers. Some airports offer these services, so you need test results from them to enter Canada. Some of the examples are people who went to Canada via Mexico, Maldives and Serbia also.
This rule is because Canada does not trust Covid Test results from clinics and hospitals. After all, people have tried to get these results by false means.
This means we have the same restrictions as a week ago, Canada only allowed Air Canada and Air India (both direct) to operate and allow to board passengers with test results from a facility at the airport only:
- obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from the Genestrings Laboratory, located above the metro station in the Airport Connect Building (ACB) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport
- perform this test within 18 hours before their scheduled departure
- present the test report with a QR code issued by this laboratory to the air operator before boarding
Overall find the way which fits your budget, Air Canada is the best option followed by a travel route where you have the option to get new Covid test results at the airport and lastly travel via third countries where you might have to stay for a night.
DO NOT FORGET ABOUT ArriveCAN.
Please share if you have more information about testing faculty at IGI airport, like how much time they take to give results? Do you wait outside or in some dedicated space while waiting for results. Please share a credible resource to find the best options.
I tried my best and if you see an error please feel free to correct it.
Canada makes these decisions on advice from PHAC and Embassy in India. Their Embassy in India is not only to issue visas or to do the trade but also to inform them about the credibility of the test result from hospitals and clinics.
