"Details Provided Today Are The Most Comprehensive Announced To Date"

Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) Canada, issued the following statement after the Canadian government announced a variety of new measures to ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated foreign travelers.

“Today’s announcement to open Canada’s borders over the coming weeks represents a significant and positive step forward for Canadians and our country’s aviation sector. Details provided today are the most comprehensive announced to date.

“While it will be several more weeks before travel resumes on a more fulsome basis, Canadian pilots, aviation workers across the country, and our nation’s economy will all benefit from our airline partners now being able to properly implement their own recovery plans. This will include recalling some of our furloughed members to meet the needs of the travelling public.

“We have some outstanding questions about the new arrival testing protocols, however the elimination of mandatory hotel stays and the opening of five more airports to international travel to Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, and Quebec City is a clear sign the government is responding to our calls and those of other industry stakeholders.

“There is much more work to be done to fully restore air travel to pre-pandemic levels. We see today’s announcement as the government taking meaningful steps forward that create the basis of a robust reopening of air travel for Canada, while always putting the safety of Canadians first.

“Going forward, ALPA Canada will continue to promote science-based recommendations and alignment with global best practices established by experts at home and around the world that will allow for a full, safe, and smooth transition for air travel as demand increases in the months ahead.”

FMI: www.alpa.org