Source: UNWTO The biggest crisis in the history of tourism continues into a second year. Between January and May, international tourist arrivals were 85% below 2019 levels (or a 65% drop on 2020), UNWTO data shows. Despite a small uptick in May, the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the continued imposition of restrictions are weighing on the recovery of international travel. Meanwhile, domestic tourism continues to rebound in many parts of the world. The latest UNWTO data shows that over the first five months of the year, world destinations recorded 147 million fewer international arrivals (overnight visitors) compared to the same period of 2020, or 460 million less than pre-pandemic year of 2019. However, the data does point to a [...]

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada The Government of Canada is prioritizing the health and safety of everyone in Canada by taking a risk-based and measured approach to re-opening our borders. Thanks to the hard work of Canadians, rising vaccination rates and declining COVID-19 cases, the Government of Canada is able to move forward with adjusted border measures. On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to any fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements. As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomes today’s decision by the government of Canada to further ease border restrictions for fully vaccinated* passengers. Eligible US citizens and permanent US residents arriving from the US will be permitted to enter Canada as of 9 August and foreign nationals arriving from all other countries will be allowed as of 7 September. Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and residents have been able to enter Canada without the need for hotel quarantine since 5 July 2021. “Today’s decision by the government of Canada to gradually allow fully vaccinated foreigners travelers to enter the country is good news on various fronts. First and foremost, it restores the freedom of travel, which will be especially [...]

Source: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) during today’s hearing titled, “Bridging the Gap: Improving Diversity and Inclusion in the U.S. Aviation Workforce.” Videos of DeFazio and Larsen’s opening statements are here and here. More information on the hearing can be found here. Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chair Larsen, for calling today’s hearing on the need to improve the diversity of the aviation industry’s workforce. Unfortunately, we’re still a long way from attaining true equality for all in this country. And while the federal government and many [...]

Source: US FAA The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened a safety field office in Houston to increase its oversight of commercial space operations in Texas and New Mexico. From this location, FAA inspectors will be able to more effectively and efficiently monitor the ongoing testing programs and commercial space tourism operations of SpaceX and Blue Origin in Texas and Virgin Galactic in New Mexico, along with others in the region. “Keeping the public safe as the pace of commercial space operations increases requires the FAA to adapt, be agile, and remain vigilant,” said Wayne Monteith, the FAA’s associate administrator of commercial space transportation. “The Houston field office will help us achieve these important goals.” This is [...]

Source: US DOT The average U.S. domestic air fare declined in the first quarter of 2021 to $260, down 1.2% from the inflation-adjusted fare of $264 in the fourth quarter of 2020. The first quarter fare of $260 was up 5.0% from the lowest inflation adjusted fare of $248 in the third quarter of 2020.   Adjusted for inflation (constant 2021 dollars) the average 1Q 2021 air fare was: Down 24.0% from 1Q 2020 ($343) Down 1.2% from 4Q 2020 ($264) Down 34.7% from 1Q 2016 ($398)   Air fares declined as passenger demand decreased. U.S. airlines reported 33.4 million originating passengers in the first quarter 2021, down from 60.8 million passengers a year earlier.           [...]