Airline Industry Working Hard to Instill Confidence

The airline industry has been working tirelessly to instill confidence in travellers to book flights and once again travel by air.

We are fortunate that many airlines have indicated they see the Thompson Okanagan region as one of the first areas in Canada where air travel will resume more quickly than other locations. We have already seen increased capacity from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, and recently Air Canada reintroduce direct flights between Toronto and Kelowna, which other airlines are now looking to do. These are important routes for our region, however they will only continue if they are supported and the bookings are there.

Without question, it will take time before many people are comfortable flying and it is important that we help by providing information on the steps airlines and airports are taking in order to instill confidence in travellers.

Recently I received two videos, one from Air Canada and the other created by the Kelowna International Airport (YLW), outlining what to expect at airports and on flights and what each of them is respectively doing to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort. These videos assist in providing a thorough understanding of the protocols in place for flying during the COVID-19 pandemic and may help to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that people are feeling.

I encourage you to take the time to watch these videos and, if you have the ability to do so, please share them on your own social channels.

The long term health of the airline industry is critical to tourism and we thank all of our airline and airport partners for the many steps they are taking to ensure the health and wellbeing of their guests, who ultimately become our guests.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO