35K holiday travellers expected daily at Calgary International Airport
In spite of a surging Omicron variant causing change and confusion in the travel industry, Calgary International Airport (YYC) is expecting 35,000 guests per day over the holiday period, from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3, 2022.
Recognized as the busiest period of the year, the Calgary Airport Authority is asking guests to be fully prepared to navigate through holiday travel at YYC. This includes understanding COVID-19 testing and safety policies, packing permitted items and having patience while making their way through large holiday crowds.
"We recommend to everyone they check ahead about the testing to the jurisdictions to which you are travelling, and check with your airline about testing procedures," said Calgary Airport Authority spokesperson Chris Miles.
"We are seeing the public health agency and other partners responding to the growth of different variants of concern and we are working with them to ensure the proper testing requirements are in place."
Travellers returning from international destinations are also advised to ensure they have the most up-to-date version of the ArriveCAN app to gain entry into Canada.
"There's been some issues with the app, every time there's an update we get some issues," said Lisa White of the Canadian Border Services Agency.
"Have that plan B in place, try and have paper copies of everything or take a screen shot of the verification code when you've completed the ArriveCAN submission, that will help officers to get you through the terminal."
All foreign nationals five years of age and older and Canadians five years of age or older who re-enter Canada after more than 72 hours away must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test (PCR) to enter Canada.
As well, all travellers arriving by air from anywhere but the U.S. will be tested on arrival and will need to self-isolate while they wait for their test results.
On top of navigating through the several layers of restrictions and tests, travellers will also be contending with large crowds.
Prior to the pandemic, 2019 was a banner year and saw 50,000 daily guests grace YYC corridors undertaking holiday travel. This year, 35,000 are expected during the holiday period.
"We've worked hard over the past 20 months to provide a safe and secure experience for our guests during the pandemic, and we'll continue to support our partners and regulatory partners to maintain that experience for holiday travellers," said Miles.
More information on Canadian travelling requirements can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.