EIA traffic ramping up with easing of vaccine requirements at Canadian airports
Officials at Edmonton International Airport (EIA) claim they are well staffed enough to avoid the kinds of delays seen at Toronto Pearson International Airport as COVID-19 rules are relaxed further.
Effective Monday, domestic and outbound international travellers no longer needed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
"That's good. Add more passengers into the mix," said Steve Maybee, vice president of EIA's operations, infrastructure and communications, late Monday morning.
"And it's been a busy morning already today."
While he conceded there had been some delays, none compared to those that have hamstrung Pearson in Toronto, Maybee told reporters.
"We've known this was going to come, this increase in traffic. So we've been working with all our partners for quite a few months to be prepared, and everybody has staffed up and is ready to go."
- Staff alleging poor work conditions at airports as travellers suffer lost luggage and longer wait times
- Basic income would ease poverty but require higher taxes, spending cuts: study
Much stress can be alleviated by arriving at the airport well prepared, he and a Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) spokesperson said. Here were their best tips.
TOP TIPS
Despite the easing of most restrictions, some rules remain in effect, such as: masks are still mandatory after security and on board aircraft in Canada, regardless of destination. Maybee recommended checking EIA's website as well as the federal government's, given public health measures will likely continue to evolve.
However, different destinations have different rules upon arrival. Double check the health guidelines of your destination.
Remind yourself of the baggage rules – what you can take, in what quantity, and in what kind of container. "Honestly, people have forgotten how to travel," Maybee said. "So the best thing to do is go online, remind yourself of what you can pack, what you can't pack."
Arrive early.
Be attentive to airport processes, like having your passport accessible and removing electronics from your carry-on suitcase when going through security.
Be patient. "People are relearning how to travel, the people working here are relearning. Some of these people were out of work for two years, and now they're coming back," Maybee said.
Finally, familiarize yourself with ArriveCan and get it set up for your return to Canada. Maybee said the federal app really expedites the process of clearing customs. "Otherwise, all those questions need to be asked by an officer. If you add two minutes onto every passenger coming through, by the time you get to you, the last person in the line, that could be an hour of time."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.