British System Could be a Model for an Open Canadian Border + The Maritimes Open Up

April 10, 2021 Jim Byers

This week’s Carry On Travel Notebook features an item about a new system for British borders, as well as news about – gasp – folks being able to have a beer at a pub in Nova Scotia. We also have news about a potential new airline that would connect Toronto’s Island Airport with U.S. cities, changes to Ireland’s travel protocols, anger over the lack of government help for Canadian airlines, an opening date for Tahiti and an airport boom in Cancun.

Britain is working on a new model for opening its borders, and it’s potentially a good fit for Canada.

Britain early next month is set to decide whether it will allow international travel to resume beginning May 17. They’re also looking at what’s called a “traffic light” system that would establish protocols that vary on the degree of COVID-19 risk a visitor brings to the country. Those in the green zone would have easier access, while visitors from an amber country would face more restrictions, and people from countries placed in the red zone would have the most restrictions.

According to the Globe and Mail, The British Global Travel Taskforce also said work was continuing to develop a certification system, sometimes called “vaccine passports,” for inbound and outbound travel.

Britain is gradually emerging from a strict winter lockdown prompted by a huge surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. As things stand, international travel is banned except under specific circumstances defined by the government, the Globe noted in their Saturday edition.

The website rte.ie reports that British airlines, “desperate for a bumper summer after a year of restrictions,” have criticized the taskforce for proposing that people from low-risk “green” countries would still have to pay 100 British pounds (about $172 CAD) for COVID-19 tests.

Jet2.com in Britain says the rules are hazy and difficult to understand, which has forced them to postpone any operations until June 23.

“Because of the continued uncertainty that the framework provides, it is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including 23 June 2021,” he added. 

Frederic Dimanche, Director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University in Toronto, said the idea sounds appealing.

“It is, for sure, a step in the right direction. The main point, in my opinion, is that it will help the trade and the customers with clearer guidelines, target markets, and target destinations,” he said in an email to Canadian Travel News.

But he also notes that COVID-19 changes quickly, and governments might be slow to change their criteria, and he also believes the cost of the tests could be a barrier to travel.

“Overall, it’s a good step in the right direction because it provides a clearer set of guidelines,” Dimanche said. “But, barriers to travel remain, and nothing appears to be said for vaccinated people, which is a real shame.”

POTENTIAL PORTER RIVAL SEEKS US FLIGHTS OUT OF TORONTO ISLAND AIRPORT

The website flightglobal.com says a new regional carrier called Connect Airlines wants to start flights in October between Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport (Toronto Islands Airport) and the U.S.

The company behind Connect is Massachusetts-based charter specialist Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA). John Thomas, former group executive of Virgin Australia Airlines, is WMA’s CEO.

The airline intends to link Toronto to Midwest and Northeast US cities using De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops, the website says.

It would definitely be a rival for Porter, which flies to Chicago, New York City, Boston and other U.S. cities out of Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ).

Porter has suspended its flights until May 19. Given the recent surge in COVID numbers in Ontario, it’s not clear whether they’ll try to start operating at that point or be forced to further extend their suspension.

LUCKY MARITIMERS SEE FEWER RESTRICTIONS

Ontario is in lockdown, and cases have surged in Alberta and B.C. But down east they’re having a pretty good time these days.

The CBC reports that “restrictions are lifting in parts of Atlantic Canada, as the region cautiously returns to some version of normal life.”

Gyms and retail stores are open at full capacity in Nova Scotia, while the border to Newfoundland and Labrador has recently opened, allowing travel between the two provinces without the requirement to quarantine. Folks also are able to check out Halifax’s great waterfront bars, but they’re not allowed to dance.

We’d say lucky them, but we have the feeling it was great planning and tough action versus luck.

By all indications, the so-called Atlantic Bubble, which allows freedom of movement between Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador, will come into effect April 19.

STILL NO OTTAWA HELP FOR CANADIAN AIRLINES

The Airline Pilots Association of Canada has strongly criticised Ottawa for procrastinating in responding to the COVID-19 crisis in Canadian aviation after WestJet aid off another 415 pilots on April 1, 2021, while uncertainty continues at other major carriers, including Air Transat, according to the website ch-aviation.com.

“Unfortunately, the government continues in its failure to respond adequately to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on Canada’s aviation sector. As the government continues to procrastinate, the industry grows more vulnerable with every passing day, and jobs continue to disappear,” charged Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) Canada, who was amongst those laid-off at WestJet.

“Almost 10,000 WestJet careers remain in limbo, with only 4,800 employees remaining on staff, compared to the 14,000 employed just 12 months ago,” he said.

TAHITI RE-OPENS MAY 1

Great news for lovers of the South Pacific, as Tahiti says it will re-open for tourists on May 1. Their COVID numbers have improved, and authorities say it’s now safe for visitors to come.

I had an absolutely tremendous visit in February of last year. Here’s a link to my story about the south part of Tahiti island, called Tahiti Iti, as well as an item about the Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort and a story about beautiful, laid-back Raiatea.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR IRELAND

Canada, The United States, France, Belgium and Italy are among 16 countries to be added to the Republic of Ireland’s mandatory hotel quarantine list.

The BBC reports the Irish government has now identified 59 “high risk” countries.

From next week, travellers from these places must spend 12 nights and pay nearly $2,800 CAD to stay at one of 24 hotels across the Republic.

The measure will come into affect at 4 a.m. local time on April 15.

CANCUN AIRPORT BOOMING

Arrivals at Cancún airport hit their highest level since February 2020 last month, even as the suspension of Canadian airlines’ flights to Mexico remained in effect.

The website MexicoNewsDaily.com reports that 1.57 million air travellers flew into the resort city’s airport in March of 2021. Incoming passenger traffic hadn’t been so high since 2.17 million people flew into Cancún in February last year.

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