Flights from India can land in Toronto again, with Canada officially lifting a flight ban from the country as of Monday. 

After five months of no flights from India, Transport Canada confirmed the news over Twitter, saying all direct flights can land in Canada with additional public health measures in place. 

In a release, Transport Canada says all travellers coming from India into Canada must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 18 hours of their flight departure to Canada. 

Air operators will be checking for negative results upon boarding the plane as well as making sure vaccinated travellers have proof of both doses. 

Anyone who does not meet these requirements can be denied boarding onto the plane.  

In April 2021, the flight ban from India was set in an effort to prevent deadly variants of COVID-19 from entering Canada. When the ban was put in place, India was dealing with a worldwide record of the most COVID-19 cases confirmed over a 24 hour period. 

The news of the flight ban being lifted on Monday created some reaction in travellers over Twitter: 

Such a relief to Indian visitors. https://t.co/FIvx5f6bkC

— Daljot Singh 🍁 (@idaljot) September 26, 2021

Some people were asking about indirect flights from India.

What does this mean for flights that transit through hubs like Frankfurt?

— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) September 26, 2021

Others felt a sense of relief about the news.

Finally https://t.co/6cqCRHbCJv

— SettleCanada Visa & Immigration Services Inc. (@CanadaSettle) September 26, 2021

One person commented about how Canada treats other countries compared to India when it comes to travel.

So it looks like
India: We want to come to Canada.
Canada: Ok, you need to complete these short timeline steps before.
Other countries: We want to come to Canada.
Canada: Yes sure, no problem. We will allow flights or even send one for you.

— Swanand Patil (@Swanandspatil) September 26, 2021

Transport Canada says anyone taking an indirect route from India will also need a negative COVID-19 test from a third country other than India, before continuing their journey to Canada.