There are more signs today that the Justin Trudeau government is set to drop vaccine mandates and put an end to the unpopular ArriveCAN app, perhaps within the next two weeks. The mask mandate for flights within Canada also appears up for debate. Writing in the Toronto Sun today, columnist Brian Lilley reports that “The ArriveCan app may no longer be mandatory and other remaining travel requirements and restrictions for air travel in Canada could soon be removed. If all goes well, masking could even be made optional within the next few weeks.” Lilley said he’s had conversations with senior Read more
Air Canada
Spiralling oil prices could be bad news for Canadian travellers, and it may only be a matter of time before higher costs are passed on to consumers. Given the current cost of fuel, “we will be looking at a surcharge of some sort when current contracts and futures are over , in all modes of transportation , air , cruise and ground,” said Martin Firestone, head of Toronto-based Travel Secure. Firestone said companies that ship cars home for Canadians have jacked up rates by $150 per car. “We can only speculate when this will trickle down to fuel Read more
It’s been a tough couple years, but St. Kitts and Nevis are poised to bounce back in a big way. Visitors are being welcomed, a range of activities are available, and most hotels are open, Ellison “Tommy”Thompson, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said in a Zoom chat this week. Thompson formerly worked in tourism in The Bahamas and just came to his new role in January, so he’s looking at St. Kitts with fresh eyes. “We see St. Kitts as a real fun, adventure place,” Thompson told me. “There’s quite a lot to do here. We’re also targeting Read more
With the Omicron variant impacting flights worldwide, Air Canada recently made the announcement that it is suspending service to various sun destinations, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) wants to remind Canadians looking to visit the destination this winter, they can still do so via Barbados. “While the suspension of Air Canada’s direct flights from Toronto to St. Vincent is certainly disappointing, we want to remind Canadians that alternatives are available, including via Air Canada’s weekly direct service from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Barbados (BGI),” said Glenn Beache, CEO Read more
In late March, Air Transat was still in line for a takeover from Air Canada. Now, they’re getting into bed with WestJet. Two of Canada’s leading airlines have agreed to cooperate on a codeshare that will soon allow customers to book transatlantic travel involving both carriers on a single ticket with through-checked bags. The cooperation will bring more choice to consumers by enabling transatlantic codeshare connections above and beyond what the carriers offer with their own flights. “We are very excited to join forces with WestJet in what I am sure will be a successful collaboration,” said Annick Guérard, President Read more
