Toronto Pearson Airport officials say they’ll begin capping the number of passengers who can fly to the U.S. or come into the country from Europe.
In a statement sent to me today by email, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said it has “taken decisive measures designed to flatten peak-hour schedules for the March Break and the upcoming summer season” by controlling the number of passengers who go through the airport each hour.
“These include hard limits on the number of commercial flights that can arrive or depart in any given hour along with limits on business/general aviation flights. In addition, measures have been applied to cap the number of passengers that can arrive internationally, or depart to the United States through each terminal, in a given hour.
“These slot measures strike a balance between airline commercial interests and the capabilities of the entities across the entire airport ecosystem, including airlines, NAV CANADA, US CBP and CBSA, to deliver successfully on travel demand.”
Officials said they’ve also been constraining transborder flights for months to account for staffing levels with the US Border Patrol, NAV CANADA and the Canadian Border Services Agency.
Pearson also is taking several other steps to improve service.
“We have brought in an outside firm to do a baggage system health check. They will be conducting interviews and an on-site assessment with a targeted completion date of spring 2023.”
Officials said baggage is a shared responsibility at Pearson. Airports build and maintain the infrastructure. The carriers induct, load and unload bags and communicate with passengers about any issues, such as lost or misplaced baggage. We remain in constant contact with the airlines regarding their staffing levels below the wing (ground/baggage) and at customer service.”
Pearson is taking other steps, as well, including
- Trying to increase their store of baggage parts so they aren’t reliant on global supply chains that haven’t fully recovered.
- Analyzing and optimizing their staffing plans and increasing the frequency of testing and training around key areas of the baggage system.
- Working to install AI technology that recognizes what’s happening at all gates and sends alerts to the relevant stakeholders (ground handlers, baggage, etc) to reduce delays and optimize the time planes spend at the gates.
WestJet officials said they’ve had to adjust their schedules. But Air Canada on Feb. 28 put out a statement downplaying the Pearson changes.
“Air Canada was first advised of the GTAA’s plans in August 2022, and so it designed its 2023 winter schedule with these limitations taken into account and anticipates no significant changes to its schedule for the March Break travel period,” officials said. “It subsequently received information about GTAA’s plans for summer 2023 and similarly designed this coming summer’s schedule to meet those parameters.”
Several airports around the world, including London Heathrow, have capped flights in an attempt to manage the large number of passengers who’ve taken to the skies as COVID fears eased.
CHINA TOURISM REBOUND COMING?
China’s tourism market will return to normal and embrace high-quality development this year, a matter of importance to the recovery of global tourism, experts and tourism insiders told ChinaDaily.com.
Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, said recently that China’s tourism is recovering to pre-COVID levels faster than predicted, and will show good results this month. The China Daily said inbound and outbound visits are projected to reach 40% of 2019 levels this year, which would be welcome news for Canadian and U.S. tour operators, especially in western states and provinces.
Canada still requires visitors coming into the country from China, Hong Kong and Macau to show proof of a negative COVID test. That rule, which is in effect until at least April 5, is proving a major hindrance to the restoration of normal tourism in British Columbia, California, and other destinations.
Durnstein Castle is a marvelous spot on the Danube River in Austria. JIM BYERS PHOTO
SCENIC UNVEILS 2024 EUROPE CRUISING PLANS
Planning and booking vacations early often results in the best rates, more choices of cabins, and better airfares. So Scenic unveiled its 2024 European River Cruise offerings earlier this year. Leading the way are two new itineraries – a 10-day Danube in Depth that digs deep into the cultures, history and local flavors of the historic cities and towns on the Budapest to Nuremburg (and reverse) route; and the 11-day Iconic Danube with Prague, which spends three nights exploring the capital city of the Czech Republic before (or after) taking in the highlights of three other countries. Details are now available in a new 72-page brochure available at www.scenicusa.com/brochures.
Planning and booking early comes with their own rewards. Scenic is offering savings of up to $1,500 per couple and if the booking is paid in full at least 12 months prior to sailing (or within 72 hours of booking if within 12 months), guests can choose either free roundtrip economy airfare, a free land extension or an additional $2,000 per couple savings.
For guests looking to go to France in 2024, it is even more important to book early as it promises to be a busy year – the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 2024 Paris Olympics. The eight-day Highlights of Normandy & the Seine is the perfect itinerary for learning the history and importance of the D-Day landings in Normandy – and enjoying the beauty of the countryside along the Seine River. And Scenic offers two-and three-night Paris extensions to allow for more time in the City of Light.
Scenic offers 12 different city stays and extensions, available to augment nearly every itinerary. The five-day Ljubljana & Zagreb extends several itineraries including the 14-day Jewels of Europe and takes in the natural beauty of Slovenia and Croatia combined with history, cobblestone streets and glacial lakes. Three nights in either Lisbon or Madrid allow for exploration of the culture and styles of two capital cities before or after sailing on the Douro. Or perhaps extending an 11-day Black Sea Explorer cruise with six days in Transylvania and visit the former summer residence of the Romanian family Bran Castle, home of the legend Count Dracula.
Peru-Alexander-Schimmeck-Unsplash Photo
G ADVENTURES RESTORES PERU TRIPS
Global community tourism pioneer, G Adventures, is delighted to be relaunching its operations in Peru from March 01, 2023. With supporting local communities at the heart of its business, the adventure operator has been poised to relaunch trips as quickly as possible to help support the local communities and businesses in Peru that depend on tourism for income.
“The last few months have been very challenging in Peru, with local communities and businesses that were pushing to get started following the pandemic being hit with another tourism dip. Our team on the ground has been monitoring the situation closely – including the reopening of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail – to ensure we could relaunch as quickly as possible once it was safe to do so,” says Sarah Miginiac, G Adventures’ general manager for Latin America.
“With trips available across our Active, Classic, 18-to-Thirtysomethings, Roamies and Marine travel styles, there’s an adventure for every type of traveller; from active lovers wanting to hike in the Andes through to wildlife aficionados looking to cruise the Amazon waterways.
“Plus, with the usual closure of the Inca Trail in February, travellers will be able to hike the iconic trail after its annual maintenance. There will be some small itinerary adjustments in areas such as Puno while we continue to monitor the situation, but most of our itineraries will run as normal,” she continues.
Available trips include:
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Amazon Riverboat in Depth – Meandering through the waterways of the Amazon jungle aboard the 28 passenger Amatista, travellers will spend time with the on-board naturalists, learning about the rainforest’s incredible fauna and flora. Highlights include a night time boat ride through the Pacaya Samira National Reserve – Peru’s largest national park and home to more than 200 bird and 10 primate species, to spotting pink dolphins as they play in the river.
Price: From $3,929 per person for a nine day trip**
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The Inca Journey – Cooking classes in Cusco, ancient archaeological sites, community-focused restaurants, Indigenous weaving experiences, hot springs, local markets, night time caiman spotting in the Amazon, riverboat trips and time to unwind in a hammock listening to the sounds of the jungle. Not to mention, the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu – this ten day Peru adventure certainly packs a punch and includes the very best from the Amazon to the Andes. Price: From $3,149 per person for a 10-day trip**
