Air Canada's decision to kill the only direct flights between Canada and India in favour of expanding service to China has provoked anger in the Indian-Canadian business community.

Air Canada confirmed on Feb. 16 that it would be discontinuing all direct flights between Toronto and New Delhi in early May. The airline is the only non-stop flights between Canada and India daily.

The Indian-Canadian business community tagged the move as shortsighted and that seats would soon be filled due to India's booming economy.

"This was a big bridge between the two countries that has been snapped," Kim Rathee, President of the Canada-India Business Council, said.

Earlier, Air Canada announced adding a second daily flight to Beijing from Vancouver and increase the regularity of its Toronto-Shanghai route. The planes for the new flights are being diverted from the Toronto-India route.