Vancouver and Bengaluru airports sign sister-airport agreement with direct flights as the long-term goal

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) have signed a sister-airport agreement aimed at building operational, technological, economic and air-service links between Western Canada and Southern India, YVR announced on 16 October 2026. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Bengaluru with Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, taking part.

The agreement covers seven areas of collaboration. Those named by YVR include innovation and technology, such as work on YVR's Digital Twin and possible joint pilot projects, the growth of air cargo between Canada and Southern India, and the ultimate goal of developing direct air service between the two airports. Girish Nair, chief operating officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited, said the partnership also covers digital platforms, smart airport technologies, sustainable operations and terminal performance management.

The partnership is relevant to British Columbia's Indian diaspora, which the release puts at nearly 500,000 people, and to technology businesses in both regions that depend on air cargo. Minister Sidhu said the agreement lays the groundwork for direct air service to one of the world's fastest-growing markets.

The agreement does not announce a route, an airline, a start date or a timetable, and YVR describes it as a first step towards direct service. Any future flight would still need an airline to announce and schedule it.