March Break is a great time for Canadian families to get away. But airports, especially busy ones such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, can be a huge hassle. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding travellers of what to expect when crossing the border during the coming spring travel season and offering some March Break tips. I’ve got a few of my own suggestions on how to avoid hassles at the airport, listed in bold face. Plan ahead and check border wait times and alternate ports of entry. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during Read more
Montreal
WestJet today revealed significantly increased transborder connectivity from Edmonton International Airport, with new routes from Edmonton to London, Ontario Moncton, Charlottetown and the resumption of nonstop flights to Ottawa, Montreal, Nanaimo and Penticton. The airline also announced non-stop service from Edmonton to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington as part of its 2023 summer schedule. WestJet’s renewed commitment to Edmonton will see the airline’s service increase by almost 50% this summer when compared to 2022. Additionally, today’s announcement underpins WestJet’s strategic ambitions to grow its presence across Western Canada and further strengthens Canada’s east to west connectivity. “Since our first day Read more
Mont-Tremblant, one of Canada’s most popular ski resorts, is the most expensive destination in the country for an overnight stay on New Year’s Eve this year, according to a survey by Cheaphotels.org. The survey compared the cost of accommodation this coming December 31 across 20 Canadian destinations. For each destination, the price for the cheapest available double room was recorded. Only centrally-located hotels rated at least three stars and with generally positive guest reviews were taken into account. Mont-Tremblant emerged as the clear leader with a rate of C$ 880 for the least expensive room. Compared to regular winter rates, Read more
A major snowstorm in southern British Columbia is having “an uprecedented impact” on flights at Vancouver International Airport, officials said today. “The winter storm and severe snowfall has had an unprecedented impact on flights and operations at YVR, with mass cancellations. Travel continues to be significantly impacted this morning & we anticipate cancellations to continue through the day and the week ahead,” airport officials said on their @flyyvr Twitter feed. FlightAware.com reports 146 cancelled flights as of 1:45 p.m. Pacific Standard Time today, or roughly 33% of all daily flights. “We recognize the affect these cancellations have on our community. Read more
Air Transat is getting a $150 million assistance package from the Trudeau government. Transat A.T. Inc. announced today that it has reached an agreement with Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (“CEEFC”), a federal Crown corporation, to obtain $100 million in added financing, as well as $50 million in credit. “In this final LEEFF (Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility) loan, Transat will receive up to $150 million to protect Canadian jobs and ensure operations can continue, despite the company’s ongoing capital operating challenges as a result of the pandemic,” the government said in a press released. “The amount consists of $100 Read more
