Airlines
WestJet Unveils 737 MAX Return-To-Service Plan
WestJet says it plans to return its fleet of 737 MAX aircraft to passenger service in a phased and transparent approach. The move follows the announcement from Transport Canada (TC) on Dec. 17, 2020 where TC safety experts validated the aircraft design changes and outlined requirements for Canadian carriers. Transport Canada's validation followed that of the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) on Nov. 18, 2020. Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, said: “As we continue working with Transport Canada on the additional Canadian requirements, our first MAX will be ready to return...
New Pre-Departure Requirements Now In Effect
Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau issued an Interim Order formalizing new COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travellers coming to Canada, and providing additional guidance to airline operators and the travelling public regarding the new pre-departure testing requirement that was announced on Dec. 31. This Interim Order supports COVID-19 health requirements made by Canada’s Minister of Health under the Quarantine Act. Effective midnight on Jan. 7, 2021 (00:00 EST or 05:00 UCT), regardless of citizenship, all travellers five years of age or older must provide...
Another Blow For Travel Agents
Clearly 2021 didn’t start the way the industry had hoped for, in fact, ACTA said that the new year brought another blow to travel agents and the industry with the federal government announcing a pre-boarding testing requirement and giving the industry only a week to prepare. ACTA president Wendy Paradis said: “This latest development has put travel agents in an even more precarious situation and ACTA cannot stress enough the acute need for urgent financial support for Travel Agents and the entire travel industry including airlines, airports, tour operators and travel...
Ontario Launches Pearson Testing Program
Ontario is launching a new, voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport for eligible international travellers returning to Ontario to help quickly identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province. The announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier, Christine Elliott and Minister of Health, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. The Premier said that: “With over 60,000 international passengers coming into Pearson airport every week, we can't take any unnecessary risks. That's why we're putting in place this new pilot...
NACC Reacts To New Testing Requirements
The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) was quick to respond to the federal government’s Dec. 30, 2020 announcement that it is implementing a plan that will require all international passengers arriving in Canada to have a negative PCR test result 72 hours prior to their arrival. NACC president and CEO, Mike McNaney said in a statement that: “Over the course of the pandemic, the Canadian aviation industry has been calling on the government for months to introduce a coordinated and systematic testing regime, in conjunction with industry, in order to avoid a rushed and...
New Rules Take Effect Jan. 7, 2021
As 2020 wound down, Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced that effective Jan. 7, 2021 at 12:01 am EST, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada. In making the announcement, Garneau indicated that the implementation date provides all airlines, both foreign and domestic, adequate time to comply with the new requirements. Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a...
IATA ‘Deeply Frustrated’ By Canada’s New Air Rules
IATA is expressing “deep frustration” with Canada’s new COVID-19 testing requirement for all arriving air travellers that will take effect on Jan. 7, 2021. For months, the association says the industry has been calling for systematic testing to re-open borders without quarantine measures, but these pleas have fallen on deaf ears, especially in Canada. Now, in a decision that can only be described as the ‘worst of both worlds’, the government is mandating that passengers provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours...
YQM Receives ACI Health Accreditation
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on air travel but a significant number of health and safety measures have been put in place by airports and airlines at all steps of the aviation journey to ensure travellers feel safe and reassured throughout their travel. Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport’s (YQM) commitment to health and safety has been recognized by Airports Council International (ACI) and YQM is now accredited in its Airport Health Accreditation program (AHA). This new program is designed to help reassure the travelling public that airport...