Traveling/Flights to Canada from India during COVID 19

[adicha]

Yes or even Abu Dhabi. Both Emirates and Etihad have non-stop flights to Toronto.

EMIRATES :Travel from India:

• Flights to Dubai will be restricted only to UAE residents with GDRFA/ ICA approval.
• Passengers are required to take a PCR test, conducted not more than 96 hours before departure.
• The UAE will accept Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) laboratory results from any lab authorised by the government of India.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has listed laboratories that perform the real-time RT-PCR test for Covid-19 across the country.
• PCR test and certificate cost is to be borne by passengers. Passengers are required to carry a COVID-19 negative test result of the PCR test when travelling. Verification of the PCR test certificate will be managed by the airport team as part of documentation checks at the time of flight departure.

I am not sure if the above requirement is to be met if you take a non-stop flight or only if you will be landing in UAE for a connecting flight

 

[SithLord]

Much appreciated. The question now is - Is Emirates and Etihad operating in August from India? If yes, are they allowing COPR holders to board (i think you confirmed this but want to double check) ?

As of now we can't board any UAE flights as per our government rules even if we hold a valid COPR. They are only for UAE nationals or residence permit holders. There is no official word yet from Indian government but Etihad customer support on twitter last week mentioned they will be starting flights to India in August. If you check their website they have already started advertising flights from August 16 onwards but still not sure if we can board these flights.

Suppose you are able to find a AI flight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then you should be able to board Emirates or Etihad for Toronto. Because UAE will not refuse boarding if we hold valid COPR. to Canada. That restriction is only from Indian government. It's basically the same as travelling via Paris or Frankfurt through AI VBM flights as discussed earlier, only difference is there will be less hassle with transit visa issues.

 

[adicha]

As of now we can't board any UAE flights as per our government rules even if we hold a valid COPR. They are only for UAE nationals or residence permit holders. There is no official word yet from Indian government but Etihad customer support on twitter last week mentioned they will be starting flights to India in August. If you check their website they have already started advertising flights from August 16 onwards but still not sure if we can board these flights.

Suppose you are able to find a AI flight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then you should be able to board Emirates or Etihad for Toronto. Because UAE will not refuse boarding if we hold valid COPR. to Canada. That restriction is only from Indian government. It's basically the same as travelling via Paris or Frankfurt through AI VBM flights as discussed earlier, only difference is there will be less hassle with transit visa issues.

Thanks for the clarification.

1. I checked Etihad, looks like they are showing flights from Aug 16th with a comment saying 'Government Approval awaiting' or something similar.
2. Emirates is showing flights in August too, although, all of them have at least 1 connection. Will have to check again on direct flights. The potential problem with Emirates is the PCR test requirement. That will be an added hassle..sigh.

 

[pumpkin_latte]

I have to ask! What was your score in IELTS writing?

It was 8/9.

 

[SithLord]

It was 8/9.

I got same score too

 

[pkhare23]

I got same score too

I got 8

 

[pkhare23]

Okay guys i want to ask your opinion about an idea that is festering in my mind for many days. Since most of people here are those with COPR validity till late August/Sept/October. Considering that we will have to take EU transit route as last resort. What if we do group booking or book the flights for same day ?

@SithLord @going2CA @nt13 @adicha

 

[adicha]

Okay guys i want to ask your opinion about an idea that is festering in my mind for many days. Since most of people here are those with COPR validity till late August/Sept/October. Considering that we will have to take EU transit route as last resort. What if we do group booking or book the flights for same day ?

@SithLord @going2CA @nt13 @adicha

I dont mind that at all. For the record, my travel plan is for Aug 7-8 or Aug 14-15. I would prefer not to delay it further unless flight schedules/availability become constraints.

 

[b.namit87]

I dont mind that at all. For the record, my travel plan is for Aug 7-8 or Aug 14-15. I would prefer not to delay it further unless flight schedules/availability become constraints.

Till when is your COPR valid?

 

[adicha]

Till when is your COPR valid?

Oct, 25, 2020

 

[nt13]

Okay guys i want to ask your opinion about an idea that is festering in my mind for many days. Since most of people here are those with COPR validity till late August/Sept/October. Considering that we will have to take EU transit route as last resort. What if we do group booking or book the flights for same day ?

@SithLord @going2CA @nt13 @adicha

It’s a good thought. I am looking for end of August. But I feel, people in different situations will be looking out for different dates.

 

[going2CA]

I got 8

Yep me too! Looks like we all scored 8 haha!

 

[going2CA]

Okay guys i want to ask your opinion about an idea that is festering in my mind for many days. Since most of people here are those with COPR validity till late August/Sept/October. Considering that we will have to take EU transit route as last resort. What if we do group booking or book the flights for same day ?

@SithLord @going2CA @nt13 @adicha

We could!! I don’t mind. What dates are you looking for?

 

[COPR_2020]

Anyone booked Qatar flight on 29th July from India to Toronto with plans of doing soft landing?

 

[pkhare23]

We could!! I don’t mind. What dates are you looking for?

I'm flexible with dates but I was thinking somewhere between 13-20th August