Guest Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Paris-Vancouver Direct Flights Offered Again by Air France NEWS PROVIDED BY Air France Nov 25, 2020, 10:15 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - Travel between Paris and Vancouver will be available again on Air France with 2 flights a week from December 14 to March 27, 2021. Passengers will be on board the Paris-Papeete flight which is temporarily stopping in Vancouver replacing Los Angeles as the route's refueling stop. "We are delighted to offer travellers who meet the criteria to enter France or any other of the world's destinations we fly to, with this new option of doing so from Vancouver," indicated Catherine Guillemart-Dias, Vice-President and General Manager of Air France KLM Canada. She added "it also gives businesses that need to ship cargo an extra alternative." This seat offer is limited to Vancouver-Paris-Vancouver travel and does not cover trips between French Polynesia and Canada. Flights may be booked on the Air France website airfrance.ca or through a travel agent. "Vancouver International Airport (YVR) remains one of four airports in Canada accepting international flights for the essential movement of passengers and goods," said Russell Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development, Vancouver Airport Authority. "The return of the Air France service offers YVR passengers who need to travel an additional option to connect to Paris and onward." Vancouver flights Departure Arrival From To Flight Aircraft Days Vancouver Paris Dec 14 Mar 25 AF 075 B777-200 Monday. Wednesday Paris Vancouver Dec 15 Mar 27 AF 074 B777-200 Tuesday. Saturday Apart from certain exceptions, including visa holders and travelers for business, humanitarian or medical reasons, Air France reminds holders of Canadian passports they are no longer admitted in France for non-essential reasons. Canadians may still transit through Paris to travel to other Air France KLM countries they are permitted to enter. Passengers in transit are submitted to the entry regulations of their final destination country. European Union, Schengen area and UK residents and passport holders can enter France. Health and safety requirements – negative rapid Covid testing, quarantining – may vary according to origin and destination. All travellers, regardless of nationality, authorized to fly to France will require to complete an International Travel Certificate to Mainland France and a Sworn Statement of absence of Covid-19 symptoms. In addition, a negative Covid test is now mandatory to enter France. It is recommended that a test be taken and the results obtained less than 72 hours prior departing from Canada. Tests are also available on arrival at Charles-de-Gaulle airport. https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Attestation-de-deplacement-et-de-voyage Covid tests The entry requirements for many countries – including France – include a negative Covid-19 test result. In France, only RT PCR, RT LAMP or Antigenic tests will be accepted. Air France has agreements in place with various laboratories and clinics in Canada, aimed at accelerating the testing process for their customers and making it possible for them to meet the requirements of the countries involved. https://www.airfrance.ca/CA/en/local/information/news/PCR.htm Booking with flexibility To meet the expectations of its customers, Air France has adapted its commercial policies and rolled out commercial measures that are 100% flexible. Customers no longer able to travel as a result new rules can rebook in the same booking class for another date – no fee, no reason required. Or if they prefer, they may request a credit voucher. This policy also applies to all new bookings, whether the cancellation is triggered by changes in entry rules at destination or a decision to call off the trip, regardless of the reason. https://www.airfrance.ca/CA/en/common/page_flottante/engagement-air-france-protect.htm More information The health and safety of passengers and crew are paramount for Air France, which is why the airline wishes to remind travellers that the Level 3 health notice issued by the government of Canada warning against non-essential travel is still in effect for Canadian passport holders, as is the order banning foreign nationals from entering Canada. The Quarantine Act in effect applies to all travellers entering Canada. Border openings and closings continue to fluctuate all over the world. Passengers are responsible for all the documents they require for their trip and must ensure they meet all of the destination country's legal requirements pertaining to immigration and border control. Travellers are advised to check with the country in question as to the rules they must follow both at the time of booking their flight, a few days prior their departure and before leaving home for the airport. https://airfrance.traveldoc.aero/ Air France Sanitary measures : https://www.airfrance.ca/CA/en/common/page_flottante/information/engagement-sanitaire.htm Air quality and HEPA filters : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbh_AmbqqFQ Information, including mask wearing : https://www.airfrance.fr/EN/fr/common/page_flottante/information/faq-coronavirus.htm www airfranceklm.com airfrance.ca klm.ca Twitter: @AirFranceKLM @AirFranceCA @KLMCanada Instagram: #airfranceklm #airfrance #KLM Facebook: AirFrance KLMCanada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Canada’s Major Airlines Welcome UK Government Change to Quarantine Measures 25 November 2020Canadian Aviation News Ottawa, November 24, 2020 – The National Airlines Council of Canada, representing Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), welcomed today’s announcement by the United Kingdom that as of December 15, passengers arriving in England will be able to significantly reduce their quarantine time following a negative COVID-19 test five days after arrival. “We are encouraged by the UK government’s decision to follow a science-based approach and reduce quarantine measures following testing. This is an important step in furthering the safe re-start of aviation and travel, and we will continue to work with the Canadian government to push for a clear and effective testing regime so that we can in turn address Canadian quarantine and travel restrictions”, said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada. It is estimated that travel restrictions will potentially reduce Canadian GDP $27B to $37B and impact 400,000 to 500,000 jobs. Over the past several months Air Canada and WestJet, in conjunction with their airport partners, have initiated testing programs in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. These testing programs will enable the government to take science-based and data-based decision making concerning quarantine measures, similar to what the British government has now done. “We are committed to working with the federal government, as well as provincial authorities, to ensure the continued safe-restart of aviation. Testing will be a key component as governments around the world begin to adapt their quarantine and travel policies as a result of testing. We need to ensure Canadian policy is aligned with international best practices”, concluded McNaney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 Air Canada Collaborates with Shoppers Drug Mart to Deliver a COVID-19 Testing Solution For Customers 27 November 2020Canadian Aviation News Pre-departure testing available as of Dec. 7 for Air Canada customers in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia Canadian travellers will be exempt from 14-day quarantine in Hawaii with a negative test MONTREAL, Nov. 27, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is pleased to announce its collaboration with Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s leading pharmacy retailer, which will provide Air Canada customers with the opportunity to take a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test in order to comply with international travel requirements. Beginning Dec. 7, eligible Air Canada customers can book and purchase a COVID-19 test at participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours. “Many countries now require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test and we are pleased to facilitate this process for our customers, making their travel experience easier and safer by recommending the RT-PCR test at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations. We believe that testing is one of the keys to protecting employees and customers, and an important step to safely reopen travel around the world, easing travel restrictions by providing alternative testing solutions in managing risk,” said Dr. Jim Chung, Air Canada’s Chief Medical Officer. “Our stores and pharmacy teams are a convenient, trusted resource for Canadians. We want to continue to be a part of the solution as the country looks for ways to manage COVID-19. We’re pleased to work with Air Canada to make COVID-19 RT-PCR tests accessible to travellers, and to help customers plan their travel safely and with confidence,” said Ashesh Desai, Executive Vice President, Pharmacy at Shoppers Drug Mart. This test will be available for customers flying to any destination requiring a negative COVID-19 test, including Hawaii and the Caribbean (namely, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Antigua, Barbuda and St-Lucia). Canadians are now eligible to be exempt from Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival in the Hawaiian Islands via a pre-travel testing process. Visit the Hawaiian government website for more details. https://travel.hawaii.gov/#/ Air Canada’s service to Hawaii from Vancouver begins on Dec. 17 and flights from Calgary start on Dec. 18. Other testing options are also offered to our customers who are flying to Hawaii, including travellers from Quebec. For more details on the list of approved testing entities by the Hawaiian Government, visit aircanada.com/covid19testing. Air Canada has been at the forefront of the airline industry in responding to COVID-19, including being among the first carriers globally to require customer face coverings onboard and the first airline in the Americas to check passengers’ temperatures prior to boarding. In May, it introduced a comprehensive program, called Air Canada CleanCare+, to apply industry leading biosafety meas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study Launches 27 November 2020Canadian Aviation News UBC and Providence Health Care lead voluntary research for departures at YVR. RICHMOND, BC, Nov. 27, 2020 /CNW/ – Today marked the launch of the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study, a collaborative effort between researchers from UBC and Providence Health Care and project sponsors WestJet and Vancouver Airport Authority. The study—the first of its kind in Canada—is investigating a method of COVID-19 rapid testing to help inform the safest and most efficient way of testing departing passengers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The study is located at WestJet’s domestic check-in area and includes three simple steps: registration and informed consent, testing, and results. The study is open to WestJet guests who are residents of British Columbia, between the ages of 19 and 80, and who have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Guests must be flying domestically, and testing is available on the day of travel only. Researchers from UBC and Providence are responsible for collecting samples in a ready-made testing station. A positive rapid test result does not constitute a medical diagnosis for COVID-19 and participants who test positive will be required to undergo Health Canada-approved testing using the RT-PCR diagnostic test. For these guests, WestJet will rebook or cancel flights at no charge. Participants who test negative will continue their travel journey and are still required to follow all existing COVID-19 requirements. Prior to live implementation at YVR, researchers conducted laboratory evaluation and validation of several rapid antigen tests that use nasopharyngeal (nose) swabs and oral rinses for deployment in the study. Rapid antigen tests can provide results within 15 to 20 minutes, making them a feasible option for study in the live airport environment. Upon study completion, the researchers will submit the results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The results will then be shared with public health officials in an effort to contribute to a future testing framework for the aviation industry. The study will operate Monday to Friday during peak morning hours. For more information on the study, please visit westjet.com/covidtesting. WestJet guests who meet the criteria noted above can register for the study at testingyvr.ca. Quotes: “We are committed to doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, while instilling confidence in those who need to travel. Together with WestJet, UBC and Providence, we have embarked on this new study to complement other testing initiatives we are seeing across the country.” — Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “WestJet is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of air travel through initiatives such as the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study. We are proud to work with our partners at Vancouver Airport Authority in support of this important research being conducted by UBC and Providence Health Care. With just three simple steps, we encourage eligible guests to consider taking part while contributing to findings that may influence travel and public health in the future.” — Billy Nolen, Vice-President Safety, Security and Quality, WestJet “While the world awaits the deployment of safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19, there is an urgent need for strategies to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. Our study will inform whether a rapid screening program is a practical and effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst travellers.” — Dr. Marc Romney, Co-principal Investigator; Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Medical Leader for Medical Microbiology and Virology at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care. “We know that asymptomatic carriers exist but what we don’t know is exactly how common it is and how much they contribute to the spread of COVID-19. This study will not only help support aviation safety, but will also help public health leaders better understand to what degree asymptomatic individuals are contributing to the spread of COVID-19.” — Dr. Don Sin, Co-principal Investigator; Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Respirologist, Providence Health Care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo32a Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 How about making available a rapid test when you arrive so that you don't have to quarantine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 3 hours ago, mo32a said: How about making available a rapid test when you arrive so that you don't have to quarantine. how rapid is rapid. so far those that certified would take quite a long time even if there was enough lab techs to do the tests. just imagine how many lab staff would be needed to test and certify the results for just 2 787/s ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boestar Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 On 11/28/2020 at 7:14 PM, Malcolm said: how rapid is rapid. so far those that certified would take quite a long time even if there was enough lab techs to do the tests. just imagine how many lab staff would be needed to test and certify the results for just 2 787/s ? the new rapid tests do not require a lab. they are done in machine and results are usually fairly quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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