The WestJet Group responds to Canada's easing of travel and border measures

Travel and tourism industry's recovery remains impeded until pre-departure testing requirement is fully removed for fully-vaccinated travellers

Airline welcomes removal of blanket travel advisory, end to advance PCR and arrivals testing requirements, changes to child travel policy and lifting of restrictions on international arrivals at Canadian airports

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 15, 2022 /CNW/ - The WestJet Group welcomes today's announcement from the federal government outlining changes to Canada's border measures and travel policies effective February 28, 2022. The WestJet Group will continue to advocate, based on science and data, for the removal of all measures impacting fully-vaccinated air travellers. 

"The removal of travel barriers for fully-vaccinated travellers and families is a positive step forward for our industry; we have been advocating tirelessly for these changes on behalf of our guests and our communities," said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President, External Affairs. "As a fully-vaccinated industry, we have worked with public health authorities and all governments to curb COVID-19 and today's announcement validates that travel has never been a significant vector of transmission."

WestJet continues to advocate for the return to surveillance arrivals testing only and for the federal government to outline a recovery roadmap for the travel and tourism industry, based on science and reflective of the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"As measures transition and Canada's pandemic situation continues to improve, we are optimistic that the remaining policies will be reassessed and removed for fully-vaccinated travellers in the weeks ahead as outlined today by the Ministers," continued Avery.

About WestJet? 
In 25 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries, pre-pandemic. 

Since the start of the pandemic the WestJet Group of Companies has built a layered framework of safety measures to ensure Canadians can continue to travel safely and responsibly through the airline's Safety Above All hygiene program. During this time, WestJet has maintained its status as one of the top-10 on-time airlines in North America as named by Cirium. 

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Recent?recognition?includes:? 
2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)  

2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)? 
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)? 

2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)? 

SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership