The WestJet Group responds to Canada’s easing of travel and border measures

Travel and tourism industry’s recovery remains impeded until pre-departure testing requirement is fully removed for fully-vaccinated travellers

Airline welcomes removal of blanket travel advisory, end to advance PCR and arrivals testing requirements, changes to child travel policy and lifting of restrictions on international arrivals at Canadian airports

The WestJet Group welcomes today’s announcement from the federal government outlining changes to Canada’s border measures and travel policies effective February 28, 2022. The WestJet Group will continue to advocate, based on science and data, for the removal of all measures impacting fully-vaccinated air travellers. 

“The removal of travel barriers for fully-vaccinated travellers and families is a positive step forward for our industry; we have been advocating tirelessly for these changes on behalf of our guests and our communities,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President, External Affairs. “As a fully-vaccinated industry, we have worked with public health authorities and all governments to curb COVID-19 and today’s announcement validates that travel has never been a significant vector of transmission.”

WestJet continues to advocate for the return to surveillance arrivals testing only and for the federal government to outline a recovery roadmap for the travel and tourism industry, based on science and reflective of the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“As measures transition and Canada’s pandemic situation continues to improve, we are optimistic that the remaining policies will be reassessed and removed for fully-vaccinated travellers in the weeks ahead as outlined today by the Ministers,” continued Avery.