Passengers departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport have already reported extended security screening procedures
Travellers flying from Canada to India will now face stricter security screenings, with Transport Minister Anita Anand citing “an abundance of caution” as the rationale behind the move. The announcement comes against the backdrop of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations, as per reports .
Over the weekend, Air Canada informed passengers heading to India about the new security protocols, which have already been implemented. An Air Canada spokesperson confirmed to Aviation Source News that Transport Canada has introduced additional requirements for India-bound air travellers.
Passengers departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport have already reported extended security screening procedures. In a social media post, the airport warned international passengers to expect longer wait times during pre-boarding checks. In response, Air Canada has advised passengers to arrive at least four hours prior to departure to account for these delays.
The enhanced measures follow a recent bomb threat involving an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago in October. The plane was diverted to Iqaluit in Canada, where a thorough inspection found no explosives on board.
Adding to the concerns, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist and founder of Sikhs for Justice, issued a threat warning against flying Air India between 1-19 November. Pannun, who holds Canadian and US citizenship, linked his warning to what he referred to as the “40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide” in India. Pannun has made similar threats in the past. Despite these developments, Minister Anand’s office did not attribute the new security measures to any specific incident or individual.
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have sharply deteriorated in recent months. The tensions escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed there were “credible allegations” of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” accusing Canada of providing a safe haven for pro-Khalistan extremist groups.
Relations worsened further last month when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian government agents of involvement in criminal activities in Canada, including murder, extortion, and intimidation. Both nations subsequently expelled senior diplomats in tit-for-tat moves, deepening the rift.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, the new security protocols underscore the strained ties between the two countries and reflect growing concerns over aviation safety amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
