As the peak holiday travel season takes flight, several key facilitators of travel in Canada have issued a number of tips and tools to avoid long lineups and delays as seen this past summer. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority says that the lead up to Christmas is expected to be the busiest time to travel, starting as soon as next week, as well as the days around Jan. 9, when many children return to school.

In preparation for the spike Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada Air Transport Security Agency (CATSA), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and Air Canada have prepared a post-pandemic travel primer – holidays edition – to help travellers have the most efficient travel experience.

For it’s part, YYZ – Canada’s busiest airport – has introduced a number of digital tools including an online security reservation system, YYZ Express, that lets customers on select flights reserve their security screening spot in advance.

The security reservation program is a pilot project for domestic and international flights, excluding the US, during peak times, says Tori Gass, a spokeswoman for the GTAA.

In September, the airport launched an online dashboard so that passengers can receive live wait times on security screening, customs, airline counters and baggage carousels.

The airport peak times dashboard is another function Pearson recommends customers use that shows the busiest time of day for each terminal so that passengers can plan accordingly based on historical data.

In addition to Pearson’s new tools, the airport continues to recommend that passengers arrive three hours ahead of international flights and two hours ahead of domestic travel – and keep an eye on the weather and check ahead the flight has been delayed.

CATSA

To further reduce wait times, the Canada Air Transport Security Agency (CATSA) has begun rolling out tips for holiday travel across its social media platforms that include keeping gifts unwrapped in case inspection is required.

Passengers are also advised to check that all carried-on liquids are under 100 ml –including snow globes.

CBSA

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) suggests the following:

• Plan ahead and check border wait times and alternate ports of entry. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours.

 

• Use Advance CBSA Declaration. Travellers arriving at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, and Québec City international airports can choose to make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA prior to their arrival using the Advance CBSA Declaration feature within ArriveCAN and save time at the border. For travellers who submit their customs and immigration information in advance using ArriveCAN, the CBSA has launched dedicated Express Lanes at Vancouver, Montreal-Trudeau and Toronto Pearson international airports. The Advance CBSA Declaration Express Lanes will help travellers get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster when they arrive at an airport.

 

• Ensure you are eligible to enter Canada.

 

• Know your exemption limits and be prepared to declare.

 

• Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out. It’s illegal.

 

• Declare any foods, plants, or animals such as raw meats, fruits, house plants, live animals, wood products (including firewood and wooden souvenirs) at the border. And avoid importing raw poultry products or by-products.

 

• When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child.

 

Air Canada

Meanwhile, Air Canada says it expects to carry more than two million passengers over the holidays. And to that end, the airline says “a few simple measures” will help customers make the most of the experience and has issued its own list of tips and useful links to help:

• Before Going to the Airport: At the time of booking make certain all details, including name spellings and travel dates, are correct and provide an e-mail address and mobile phone number. Customers can check-in online at aircanada.com or on the Air Canada Mobile App beginning within 24 hours of their flight, which saves time at the airport. Check the flight’s status before going to the airport and allow enough time to meet the check-in cut-off deadlines. Many airport websites have information and services to ease the process, such as posted wait times for check-in and security, the ability to pre-book screening and reserve parking.

 

• Tools for Travellers: Install and use the Air Canada Mobile App. It conveniently delivers all needed mobile tools and services directly to any Apple or Android device so customers can manage their travel. It can be used to check-in, to securely store customer contact information, preferences, and payment details, arrange for checked baggage, and to obtain a boarding pass (eliminating the need for a paper boarding pass). The App also allows Air Canada to communicate directly to customers any updates to their itineraries. Customers should also be sure to enroll in Aeroplan, which can be synched with the App.

 

• Baggage: Travel experts agree, people tend to pack too much, so consider what is really needed. To help with packing aircanada.com has extensive information about baggage allowances, including carry-on limits. When packing, ensure required medication, keys, and valuables – including money, electronics, and jewellery – are kept in a carry-on bag. For information on government security screening of carry-on items, check CATSA’s website. Attach a sturdy identification tag to all checked baggage and tuck inside each piece a business card or similar item with contact details. Customers should be mindful that excess carry-on baggage can result in boarding and flight delays, so are advised to limit carry-on and

comply if a gate agent makes a request for carry-on baggage to be gate-checked.

• Documents and Useful Apps for International Travel: Visit Air Canada’s Travel Ready hub for international entry requirements. Customers are responsible for meeting all entry requirements, including holding the correct travel documents, visas, or health certificates, for any flights they purchase. Additional information is available from the International Air Transport Association and advice on travelling abroad is available at www.travel.gc.ca. Travellers going to the US can use the US Customs and Border Protection’s MPC app to submit their passport and customs declaration information to streamline the entry process into the US. When returning to Canada, customers can save time by using the ArriveCAN web or mobile app to make their customs and immigration declaration to the Canada Border Services Agency up to 72 hours in advance of their arrival at select airports.

Much improved

Pearson says this holiday season will be particularly busy as passenger traffic has steadily increased since the summer, though the number of travellers is still expected to sit below pre-pandemic levels.

The airport expects to see 80% of passengers compared to 2019, based on the number of airline seats sold, says Gass.

At the same time, Pearson has “much improved” since the summer and the new modernization tools will help passengers prepare for holiday travel, says GTAA CEO Deborah Flint.

“We’re not seeing the same thing that happened in the summer where we had long lineups and other delays that were due to staffing,” says Gass.

Staffing levels of CATSA employees and baggage handlers were significantly affected over the pandemic, and while there were challenges earlier in the year around training and staff retention, Gass says that all of the airport partners have “really stepped up” to help with improving the shortage.

In the case that a flight is delayed, Pearson will have live entertainment including Christmas carollers and a family movie lounge.

“We’ve brought in a lot of tools since this past summer,” says Gass. “We’re hoping it’s going to be helpful for passengers for the holiday.”