The March Break school vacation period begins today in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada, and airports will likely be a mess.
| The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), operator of Toronto Pearson, held a media day today to provide travel tips for passengers ahead of March Break.
March Break has always been one of the busiest times at Pearson, and this year the GTAA expects up to 125,000 passengers per day during the peak travel weekend, starting today. This represents approximately 85% of pre-pandemic volume seen during March Break 2019.
(It certainly doesn’t help that Toronto is expecting a modest snowfall today.)
Pearson has been collaborating with its partners to support their operations, including working with airlines since August of last year to ensure they balance their activity with their resources during the traditionally busy travel period.
For passengers, Pearson and its airport partners have introduced a number of tools to make travel easier.
These include:
YYZ Express, an online reservation program, allows travellers to book a spot in the security line ahead of their flight, up to 72 hours in advance. This will help speed up security wait times for passengers.
Mobile Passport Control, an app introduced by United States Customs and Border Protection, allows travellers to digitally submit their customs form for a smoother departures experience from Pearson if they’re travelling to the US.
Pearson’s live wait times dashboard provides travellers with real-time information ahead of arriving at the airport.
Pearson’s peak travel times dashboard gives passengers a look at historical data to help them understand if they’ll be passing through the airport during a busy period.
Advance Declaration continues to be offered by Canada Border Services Agency, which lets travellers submit their customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of flying into Canada, giving them a faster border experience and saving them time at Pearson. And new at Pearson, passengers who complete Advance Declaration will have access to an Express Lane in the customs area, further saving them time.
Passengers can brush up on what to do to make the security screening experience smoother by checking out travel tips from CATSA. There are specific tips for families, seniors, passengers with special needs and more.
To keep the kids entertained, Pearson will be offering activities in both terminals, including appearances by Lester the Toronto Pearson mascot, who will be handing out lip balms, colouring books, crayons and more. Ron the magician will also be on-hand to entertain families while they wait for their flights.
Travellers should also be mindful that this is the time of year when winter weather can impact travel. Potential weather disruptions in the form of snow are expected today. While every partner in the Pearson ecosystem works diligently to mitigate the effects of weather events, it’s important to know that snow, ice and extreme cold weather can impact flights.
Officials said Pearson has robust protocols in place to limit the negative impact of winter weather on flight operations. These include:
“Our Central Deicing Facility (CDF) is capable of deicing 500 aircraft in a single day as quickly and safely as possible.
State-of-the-art snow removal equipment keeps the runways clear so aircraft can land and take off safely. If snow is in the forecast, we make sure extra staff are scheduled and equipment is in position so we’re ready to roll as soon as the snow falls.
We strongly encourage all passengers to check their flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport.”
Here’s a previous post of mine with tips of my own, and suggestions from the Canadian Border Services Agency. |
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People standing in line with luggage at the airport check in. (CNW Group/Unifor)
MARCH BREAK TRAVEL TIPS FROM CHEAPO AIR
As we enter the busy travel planning season that ties into March school breaks, Canadians should be aware of various disruptions that may impede their ability to fully enjoy their vacation. From flight cancellations due to pilot shortages to unforeseen delays to the just announced airlift limits at select airports, it’s hard to stay ahead. As part of its mission to educate travelers, leading online travel agency CheapOair.ca is sharing their best travel tips for all Canadians to follow.
Key time-saving suggestions for travellers to consider this March Break include:
The Earlier Your Flight, The Better: Flying earlier in the morning versus later in the day decreases your chance of being affected by significant delays, particularly as they create a snowball effect throughout the day.
Check-in Online: Most airlines allow you to check-in online 24 hours before your departure. Take advantage of this time-saving tip and download your boarding pass before arriving at the airport instead of having to wait in line!
Pack for Carry-on Luggage: With all the images and stories of lost luggage, it goes without saying that it is always better to pack for carry-on versus checking a bag as a majority of airlines will allow you to bring up to two carry-on items.
Book Weekday Flights: Weekday flights are often cheaper compared to weekend options, and the airport may also be less crowded since there are typically more flights operating on weekends.
Passport Review: Did you know that certain destinations will not allow you to travel if your passport is 6 months or under from expiring? Make sure it is active for at least a year and remember that passport offices may have their own delays as well.
Cost-Effective Airport Options: Those living closer to a neighbouring city should explore flying out from an alternate airport to see if cheaper options are available. This is particularly true if you can depart from a U.S. airport.
Verify Any VISA Requirements: With the announcement that Canadian citizens will be required to get a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) VISA prior to heading to or connecting through Europe in late 2023/early 2024, it is important to research your final destination for special permits to make sure you don’t miss your flight.
Consider Travel Insurance: Travel insurance helps protect you from certain financial risks and losses that can occur while traveling, such as last-minute trip cancellations or a medical emergency overseas. While you may not use it, it’s always better to be prepared!
Check Border Wait Times: If you are planning a road trip this March Break, certain destinations tend to have multiple border crossings with different wait times depending on traffic. Check online before you travel or as you get closer to confirm.
