Statement on the Canadian government removing pre-entry COVID-19 testing for international travel

March 17, 2022

The Canadian Airports Council issued the following statements on the government’s intention to remove pre-entry COVID-19 testing for all fully vaccinated travellers to Canada as of April 1, 2022.

“The federal government’s decision to remove the pre-entry test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers is great news for Canadians. Our tourism and travel industry have been calling for its elimination, which will aid in recovery of our sector.

“This is a major step forward that brings Canada in line with many other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Ireland, and allows individuals and businesses to plan their summer and fall travel.

“The elimination of the testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers will remove a major deterrent to travel and help to rebuild Canada’s $102 billion tourism and travel sector, and restore jobs. Today is a good day for Canada.”

RJ Steenstra, Chair of the CAC Canadian Policy Council and President and CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

 

“Growth in demand will allow airports to rebuild their services and connectivity, ensuring that they can continue their essential role as part of Canada’s supply chain, connecting travellers, communities and regions.

“The health and safety of travellers and aviation workers has been airports’ number one priority since the start of the pandemic.  With airports continued health measures in place, and with over 85 percent of Canadians over the age of five fully vaccinated, we are confident that the pre-entry test can be removed with no additional risk to travellers, workers or communities.”

Monette Pasher, Interim President, Canadian Airports Council

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada’s airports community. Its 58 members represent more than 100 airports, including all of the privately operated National Airports System (NAS) airports and many municipal airports.

Canada’s locally managed and not for profit airports are essential community assets.  In 2019, they supported 194,000 direct jobs, contributed $19 billion to GDP and $48 billion in direct economic outputs. They also remitted $6.9 billion in taxes to municipal, provincial and federal governments.

For more information, contact

Debra Ward

debra.ward@cacairports.ca

613 850 9118