WATCHING PAINT DRY

Airlines Tire of Ottawa’s “Piecemeal” Approach

Headshots (left to right): Mike McNaney, head of the National Airlines Council of Canada, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, John McKenna, head of the Canadian Air Transport Association
Left to right: Mike McNaney, head of the National Airlines Council of Canada, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, John McKenna, head of the Canadian Air Transport Association

Despite the federal government promising to reveal plans for relaxed border measures within days, The Star says airlines continue to be frustrated with the lack of detail.

Of particular concern is what the mechanism will be for travellers to prove vaccination status.

Mike McNaney, head of the National Airlines Council of Canada, told the Star that airlines do not have details or any specific timeline.

“It’s now the federal government’s time to actually show some leadership and put out a plan,” said McNaney. “We have to move away from this piecemeal approach ... But it appears that is the approach the government plans to take as far as what a restart looks at, a series of individual announcements that will come at various periods of time.”

In speaking to reporters, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said that Ottawa has been in contact with airports, airline companies and others in the aviation sector “about our plan.”

“Certainly, we need to give them time to prepare for reopening,” Alghabra said.

The reassurance isn’t flying with the airlines. John McKenna, head of the Canadian Air Transport Association, said “the information-sharing on the last call was pretty tense. We said, ‘Guys, we need to know … What are we doing? What’s happening now?’ And we’re not getting an answer.”

You may also like
U.S. Airlines Required to Provide Automatic Cash Refunds for Flight Disruptions
According to new DOT rules, airlines have seven days within which to provide cash refunds to passengers for delayed or cancelled ...
Norwegian Aqua - Float Out
Norwegian Celebrates Float Out of ‘Norwegian Aqua’
Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the float-out of Norwegian Aqua, the inaugural vessel of the expanded Prima Plus Class, from its dry ...
WestJet
WestJet CEO Maps Out Growth Strategy for Edmonton
"As the capital city of our home province, we are unwaveringly committed to maintaining and growing our title as Edmonton's leading air carrier“, ...
RCI Record First Quarter on the Heels of 'Exceptional Year'
After an "exceptional" 2023, with an even more surprising wave season, Royal Caribbean Group's Q1 2024 earnings report surpassed expectations. 
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises Debuts New Mediterranean Sailings for 2025
Oceania Cruises has debuted an array of new 2025 Mediterranean sailings, ranging from nine to 56 days, to whisk guests to ...

Talk Back! Post a comment: