July 16 - Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), issued the following statement in response to comments Thursday evening by Prime Minister Trudeau that border restrictions may be amended to allow fully vaccinated travellers from the United States to enter Canada in mid-August, and all other countries by early September:

 

“We are encouraged by the Prime Minister’s statement as our industry has repeatedly called on the federal government to release an overall restart plan and timeframe, and we are looking to the government to publicly confirm details as soon as possible.

 

Over the past several weeks, our members have issued updated schedules and have been investing in bringing capacity back on line to enable a quick and safe restart once border policy is changed.

 

As border measures are adjusted, the government should follow the clear recommendations released in May by Health Canada’s Expert Panel on Testing and Screening including the elimination of hotel quarantine for non-vaccinated travellers. The government should also eliminate the quarantine requirement for non-vaccinated minors.

 

Though the Prime Minister’s comments provide a general timeframe, we are very close to losing the entire summer travel season. We look forward to urgent engagement with the federal government over the coming days and the release of a detailed action plan.”

 

 

---

More Travel News:

Hilton expands all-inclusive and luxury portfolio in Mexico with signing of three beachfront resorts
WestJet Encore reaches tentative agreement with CUPE
Alitalia’s successor ITA to take off in mid-October after EU deal
Approved vaccine inconsistency could delay the restart of international travel