Flying out of Toronto Pearson airport is about to get more expensive. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) today (September 28) announced it will increase the aeronautical rates and the airport improvement fee (AIF) on January 1, 2023. These increases are a result of the high inflationary environment and ongoing impacts from COVID-19. The adjustment to the AIF will put Toronto Pearson in line with the current rates charged by other airports across Canada. Effective January 1, 2023, aeronautical rates for commercial aviation, business aircraft and general aviation aircraft will increase by 4 per cent. The AIF for departing passengers Read more

Canadians will soon have more low-cost options to Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, with flights from $109 CAD one-way. Lynx Air, Canada’s new ultra-affordable airline, today announced its expansion into the United States, with the addition of those four cities to its network. Orlando will be Lynx’s first US destination, with flights taking off from Toronto starting on January 27, 2023. Lynx’s US network will continue to expand over the following weeks, with the launch of services out of the Calgary gateway to Phoenix on February 7, 2023, Los Angeles on February 16, 2023, and Las Vegas on Read more

A top union official is warning that there could be “significant delays” at Canada border points if travel picks up dramatically in the wake of travel restrictions being eased. Mark Weber, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said border agents are already slammed, and that a signiicant increase in travel will make things worse. The Canadian government announced on Monday that travel restrictions will be lifted on Saturday, October 1. That means an end to mandatory vaccinations for coming into Canada, no quarantine for sick visitors and no random testing. The controversial ArriveCAN app also will become optional Read more

Nova Scotia put out this information today. I’m reprinting it here in the public interest. “The efforts to clean up following Hurricane Fiona are well underway; however, some areas of the province suffered significant impact and there continue to be wide-spread power outages. We are thinking of all the tourism operators who may have suffered damage or are struggling to get their businesses reopened following the storm.” Below is information that may be of use to locals and travellers. Disaster Financial Assistance for Hurricane Fiona The Province has launched the Disaster Financial Assistance Program to help households, small businesses and Read more

As the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) marks World Tourism Day on Tuesday, September 27, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is reflecting on the significant contribution tourism has made to the socioeconomic development of the Caribbean while focusing on the challenges and opportunities the industry presents for the future. “Tourism has been the main driver in propelling Caribbean economies, creating new entrepreneurial opportunities; building upward mobility; broadening the skills and ingenuity of our peoples; celebrating and showcasing Caribbean culture, cuisine, nature and entertainment; and improving our capacity to rebound from crises and challenging situations,” stated CHTA President Read more

Airlines, cruise companies and other tourism-related groups are welcoming the announcement that Canada will end all travel restrictions and end the Canadian mask mandate for planes and trains on Saturday, October 1. The Trudeau government today announced that mandatory vaccination rules will end on that date, as will random border testing of travellers. Ottawa also is making the controversial ArriveCAN app optional, and ending the requirement for masks on airplanes and trains. “Air Canada welcomes the removal of these restrictions, acknowledging that air travel is safe and that the measures were not justified by science,” We believe it will greatly Read more