Maritime travel officials expect a busier holiday season as COVID-19 vaccine rates rise, restrictions loosen
After a year with minimum recreational travel due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, a spokesperson for the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, just outside of Halifax, N.S., says they're expecting to see that change this holiday season.
"We are expecting this year, that given increased vaccination rates and other travel restrictions that have been lifted throughout the pandemic, mostly recently earlier this summer, that more people will be looking to reconnect with family and friends over the holiday season," said Tiffany Chase, spokesperson for the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
Chase expects December will be busy at the Halifax airport and encourages travellers to plan ahead and be prepared.
"So, of course we're always giving the same kind of tips that we would have pre-pandemic, in letting people know that they may encounter lineups at various aspects of the journey at the airport, and to arrive with plenty of time to make their way through the process," explained Chase.
At the Saint John Airport in Saint John, N.B., bookings through December to early January are said to be relatively "strong" and "solid."
"If you compare it to pre-pandemic, we're probably between 40 to 50 per cent of what we were. But still, our load factor is based on the available seats we have and it's significant," said Jacques Fournier, with the Saint John Airport.
According to CAA Atlantic, their phones have been very busy lately, with an increased interest in travel.
"As we head into the holiday season, people are interested in all types of travel," said Steve Olmstead, with CAA Atlantic. "Whether it's here in Atlantic Canada or beyond, or even internationally, and they're really trying to do their best to plan that travel."
Olmstead said those who are calling have plenty of valid questions.
"One thing they are doing consistently is looking for advice from a trusted travel advisor and that advantage helps them negotiate some of these developments that are coming at us left, right and centre with respect to the pandemic," said Olmstead.
Olmstead says anyone travelling this holiday season should make sure they have a good plan in place, and make to familiarize yourself with the COVID-19 rules and restrictions in place at your final destination, as well as stopping points along the way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.