Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle
alg

WestJet Calls Canadian Travel Advisory a “Setback” to Airline Industry

by Daniel McCarthy / December 20, 2021
WestJet Calls Canadian Travel Advisory a “Setback” to Airline Industry

Photo: Shutterstock.com


The second-largest Canadian air carrier behind Air Canada is pushing back against the blanket travel advisor issued last week by the Canadian government.

WestJet, in a statement, said it was strongly opposed to the advisory, which asked Canadian citizens to avoid non-essential international travel due to the continued spread of the Omicron variant.

"Air travel is the most tested and protected consumer activity in Canada, every person traveling internationally is tested on average twice throughout their travel journey," said Harry Taylor, WestJet President, and interim CEO.

Taylor, who won’t be CEO for too much longer as WestJet also recently announced that Alexis von Hoensbroech will take over as CEO sometime in the first quarter of 2022, said that it’s time for the government to share the data behind their decision.

"As the only fully-vaccinated air travel sector in the world, WestJet is calling on the government to publicly share the travel-related COVID-19 data that has been used to re-impose the advisory and advice targeted towards fully-vaccinated Canadians and the travel and tourism industry."

Canada, according to WestJet, remains firmly out of step with other international policies, including the policy from its neighbor to the south, the U.S., and other policies from the European Union and the U.K.

The new policy also contradicts guidance from the World Health Organization, which said that blanket travel bans will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will instead only impact lives and livelihoods.

"Since the onset of the pandemic, we have safely flown more than seven million guests and air travel has been commended for its commitment to safety. Fully-vaccinated Canadians should not be singled-out for choosing to take part in a safe activity," Taylor said.

"Travel bans, restrictions, and blanket advisories are devastating to the continued economic recovery of our country and place tens of thousands of recently recalled Canadian travel and tourism jobs at risk. We are very concerned today's announcement will create unnecessary disruption and chaos in advance of the holiday travel season."

  15
  0
algv
Related Articles
At Four Years Old, Swoop’s Low Cost Expansion Picks Up Steam
Toronto Airports Want the Government to Pause Random COVID-19 Testing Policy
Canada Extends Travel Vaccination Requirement Through at Least June 30
Swoop Adds Non-Stop Service to Nashville
New Airline Canada Jetlines Gets Approval from Canadian Transportation Agency
Low-Cost Carrier Swoop Continues Massive Expansion
Former WestJet Executive Bob Cummings Returning as President of Swoop
CDC Downgrades Canada COVID-19 Travel Risk Level
WestJet Launches New Service from Calgary to London Heathrow
Canada Is Dropping its COVID Test Requirement for Vaccinated Visitors

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  3. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  6. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  4. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  5. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  6. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
algv
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
CDC Ups Dominican Republic COVID-19 Advisory to ‘High’
CDC Ups Dominican Republic COVID-19 Advisory to ‘High’

The Dominican Republic was one of two countries that moved up into the CDC's highest level outside “special circumstances." 

Read...
Silversea Adds Fly-Cruise Antarctic Voyages
Silversea Adds Fly-Cruise Antarctic Voyages

Demand for Antarctic voyages that bypass the Drake Passage is growing. 

Read...
European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel

The ETIAS permit will cost each applicant 7 euros and will be valid for travel to Europe for three years.

Read...
Bonaire Is Adding a Tourist Tax Starting on July 1
Bonaire Is Adding a Tourist Tax Starting on July 1

Bonaire, the Dutch Caribbean island, is adding a visitor entry tax for all travelers to the destination starting on July 1.

Read...
New Zealand Drops COVID-19 Test Requirement Ahead of Schedule
New Zealand Drops COVID-19 Test Requirement Ahead of Schedule

"The challenges pre-departure tests pose to visitors are now no longer outweighed by the public health benefits," New Zealand said this week. 

Read...
What to Know About Travel to Antigua and Barbuda Now
What to Know About Travel to Antigua and Barbuda Now

Advisors talking to TMR said that Antigua’s relaxed COVID protocols, and news from the U.S., could result in major arrivals spike. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy