The International Air Transport Association has expressed excitement about the Canadian government’s recent announcement it will permit fully vaccinated American and international tourists to enter Canada beginning in AUG.
But they’re still urging the Canadian government to follow the latest WHO recommendations, “regarding alleviations for those who are unable to get vaccinated, in order to fully enable the recovery of the travel and aviation industries worldwide.”
IATA calculates that reopening Canadian borders to international travellers will allow airlines to begin restoring the 682 routes lost, restart the $19 billion in annual spending, sustain 432,000 local jobs and provide $14 billion to the country’s GDP.
It calls Ottawa’s move “good news.”
“First and foremost, it restores the freedom of travel, which will be especially welcomed by those who were barred from seeing friends and family,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
“Moreover, airlines can now start reinstating international connectivity. This will be a boost for rebuilding the Canadian economy, especially through the contribution of international business and tourism,” he added.
