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
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Most Canadians support abortion, one-third see Tories as least supportive: poll
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.