Ottawa, December 23, 2020 – During his press conference today concerning COVID-19, Prime Minister Trudeau noted the federal government is engaged with provincial authorities in support of rapid testing at Canada’s major airports.

The industry is encouraged to hear the federal government is working with Ontario and Quebec on potential testing programs similar to that which was launched in Alberta at Calgary International Airport, which used science-based approach to implement safe alternative to current blanket quarantine measures.  Canada’s airlines fully support this on-going engagement, and urge all governments to move quickly.

Since March our industry has invested millions of dollars in new procedures and safety measures to address the pandemic and ensure safety of travel.  Our industry has also led the development and launch of COVID-19 testing projects in Canada.  It is clear that testing will be critical to the continued safe restart of aviation, and to supporting Canada’s eventual economic recovery in communities large and small across the country.

“We will continue to take every effort possible to work with governments across Canada, to drive the roll out of rapid testing programs as part of a continuous and layered approach to protecting employee, passenger, and public health during the pandemic and to safely re-open the sector” said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada.

About the National Airlines Council of Canada:

The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers:  Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet.  It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system.  Collectively, its member airlines carry over 80 million passengers annually, directly employ over 60,000 people and are a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector which supports more than 630,000 jobs.

For media requests, please contact Francesca Iacurto, Senior Director, Public Affairs, National Airlines Council of Canada; Email: Fiacurto@airlinecouncil.ca; Telephone:  613.231.7223 ext. 104.