Travel News

The federal government will lift its ban on cruise ships and allow the large vessels back into Canadian waters as of Nov. 1.

Canada's Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said at a press conference in Victoria, B.C. Thursday that cruise ships will be able to return to Canadian waters if operators are able to fully comply with public health requirements. However, what those public health requirements will be have not been specified.

The ban on cruise ships had originally been extended to Feb. 28, 2022, but was moved up thanks to Canada's rising vaccination rate and changing public health advice, Alghabra said.

"This means that the cruise ship operators will be able to prepare and be ready for full operations by the start of the 2022 cruise season, if they can fully comply with public health requirements," Alghabra said.

"It also means that our timing will be aligned with our American neighbours."

Cruise ships have been banned from entering Canadian waters since March 2020, a major blow to Canada's $4 billion cruise ship industry that generates approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Canada's ban on non-essential travel with the U.S. remains in place. Alghabra says discussions with the U.S. over the land border "are ongoing" but provided no timeline as to when restrictions may be eased.

Many groups welcomed Transport Canada's announcement on Thursday.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, which manages the Victoria Cruise Terminal, says the decision will allow for a full resumption of the cruise season in 2022.

"Cruise lines and ports in Canada need time to prepare for the full resumption of cruise and this news from Transport Canada will signal that the industry is welcomed back for the 2022 cruise season," the organization said in a statement.

"We will increase our focus on major projects such as shore power with the understanding that we, and our partners, have a clearer line of sight on financial forecasts."

Anna Poustie, chair of the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance, says the decision will help provide stability for businesses in the area.

"The financial impact has been crushing," Poustie said.

"Today, we can put that behind us. Now we know that crews will be welcomed back, our cruise partners know ships will be welcomed back to our ports, and our businesses know that they will be back to work."

Proposed U.S. law raises concerns

While cruise ships will be able to return to Canadian shores, there is concern about a proposed bill in the United States that could impact the industry in Canada if it passed.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law legislation that temporarily allows cruise ships to travel directly from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada. U.S. law prohibits cruise ships from travelling between two American ports without stopping at a foreign port.

However, U.S. Senator Mike Lee has introduced legislation to make the temporary workaround permanent by repealing the law which forces cruise ships to stop in Canada. Lee says in a statement that "this arcane law benefits Canada, Mexico and other countries who receive increased maritime traffic at the expense of American workers in our coastal cities, towns and ports."

When asked about Lee's proposed legislation, Alghabra says the government will work to protect the cruise industry in Canada.

"We're committed to working with our friends in the United States to ensure that we maintain business as usual," Alghabra said.

"We're working with the administration, we're working with Congressmen and women on repeating the benefits that the industry gets, not only here in Canada, but in the U.S., by stopping here."

With files from the Associated Press

Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on Twitter @alicjawithaj.

China has unveiled a maglev train capable of a top speed of 600kph. The maximum speed would make the train, self-developed by China and manufactured in the coastal city of Qingdao, the fastest ground vehicle globally.

Using electro-magnetic force, the maglev train “levitates” above the track with no contact between body and rail, according to Reuters.

China has been using the technology for almost two decades on a very limited scale. Shanghai has a short maglev line running from one of its airports to town.

While there are no inter-city or inter-province maglev lines yet in China that could make good use of the higher speeds, some cities including Shanghai and Chengdu have started to conduct research. At 600 kph, it would only take 2.5 hours to travel from Beijing to Shanghai by train – a journey of more than 1,000 km (620 miles).

By comparison, the journey would take three hours by plane and 5.5 hours by high-speed rail. Countries from Japan to Germany are also looking to build maglev networks, although high costs and incompatibility with current track infrastructure remain hurdles to rapid development.

Nigeria and Barbados are hopeful of improved ties by leveraging the partnership between TelNet Nigeria Limited and Barbados companies, Global Integrated Fintech Solutions (GIFTS) and IPayAnywhere (iPAY).

The move by the organisations was to transform seamless electronic payment in Africa through anti-money laundering payment processing services, fraud reduction, as well as iPayAnywhere solution, an end-to-end mobile-based payment solution that services the government, private sector and consumers.

The partnership was sealed at a signing ceremony between the companies, hosted by Barbados High Commission, Ghana, and Caribbean Export, in collaboration with Export Barbados/BIDC and CBC TV Channel 8.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados, Dr. Jerome Walcott, who emphasised his government’s commitment to building and deepening commercial diplomacy with countries in Africa, stated that he looks towards enhanced bilateral trade relations between Barbados and Nigeria.

While commending the partnership with TelNet, the Nigerian-based tech company, he said that government’s exploration of a new and dynamic ethos of national development through the stimulation and encouragement of private sector partnerships, was evidenced through the signing ceremony.

According to him, “It allows GIFTS to have access to an initial market of over 200 million people by utilising TelNet’s large database of customers, and permits TelNet to extend its operation’s competencies into the Nigerian fintech space.

This initiative also presents GIFTS with an opportunity to expand the operation of Barbadian homegrown technologies in the near future, as part of the government’s strategy of economic diversification.”

Group Managing Director, TelNet Nigeria Limited, Folorunsho Aliu, said with the partnership, it was sure of expanding anti-money laundering and card services portfolio of products in the financial services.

He said as the fintech space is growing in Nigeria, there was the need to ensure that transactions, consumers, and the financial systems are protected for sustainability and integrity.

He mentioned that Telnet and its subsidiary companies had been at the forefront of technology-enabled business innovation in Nigeria with key projects that had transformed the Nigeria economy.

Founder and Executive Chairman of GIFTS and iPay, Dave Sahadath, who expressed confidence on the decision to go into business and form a partnership with TelNet, said the firm has the knowledge of the local market with the reputation of delivering great products and services to the marketplace.

Chairman of TelNet Nigeria Limited, Samaila Aleyodeino, described the signing as a significant milestone for closer collaboration between Barbados and Nigeria.

“Business opportunities abound in Nigeria, and the fintech sector is growing. I am confident that this international partnership will drive a new wave of world-class developments in fintech solutions,” he said.

Executive Director, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Deodat Maharaj, described the partnership as a clear indication of the opportunities for commercial relationships between the Caribbean and Africa.

Noting that rising Africa represented a bright new frontier for Caribbean business, he expressed the Caribbean Export’s commitment to help deepen business relationships between the Caribbean and Africa.

Chief Executive Officer, Export Barbados/BIDC, Mark Hill, who said the partnership opened up an export market opportunity for Barbados in West Africa, added “Our support for this initiative is aligned with our strategy for the African market which represents a priority market for Export Barbados/BIDC.”

By Wole Oyebade

Despite the fresh concerns posed by the new wave of COVID-19 pandemic, air travellers have bemoaned frustration posed by various travel rules, testing requirements, and excessive test costs.

The travellers, in a new survey conducted by the body of international airlines, showed a higher preference for, and confidence in mask-wearing protocols.

This is coming amid anxiety that countries may begin to impose fresh border closure and lockdown to safeguard citizens from raging delta variant.

The variant is now the dominant strain worldwide and surging rapidly, even in countries with high vaccination rates. For instance, new coronavirus infections in the United States rose nearly 70 per cent in a single week, officials reported Friday, and nearly every state has reported an increase in cases.

The Guardian earlier reported at least 100 per cent spike in airfares on traditional tourism destination routes, though not unconnected with local decline in worth of the naira. Multiple tests of about N200,000 for a round-trip international flight have also made fares out of reach for travellers.

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) survey showed that the complaint is not peculiar to Nigeria, as a majority, globally, is also frustrated with the “hassle factor” around COVID-19 protocols and “unnecessary” add-on costs.

The survey of 4,700 travellers in 11 markets around the world shows that 85 per cent believe aircraft are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. About 65 per cent agree that the air on an aircraft is as clean as an operating room.

Among those who have travelled since June 2020, 86 per cent felt safe onboard owing to COVID-19 measures. About 89 per cent believe protective measures are well implemented, and 90 per cent believe airline personnel does a good job of enforcing the measures.

Passengers strongly support mask-wearing onboard (83 per cent) and strict enforcement of mask rules (86 per cent), but a majority also believe the mask requirement should be ended as soon as possible.

IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, said Air travellers recognise and value the safety measures put in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission during air travel.

“They support the continuation of these measures as long as necessary, but they also don’t want the measures to become permanent. In the meantime, we all need to respect the rules and the safety of fellow passengers. It is unacceptable that unruly passenger incidents have doubled compared to 2019, and the increase in physically abusive behavior is a particular cause for great concern,” Walsh said.

At the same time, participants admit that they struggle with the COVID-related rules and requirements and that these impact their willingness to travel.

About 70 per cent thought the rules and the accompanying paperwork were a challenge to understand. 67 per cent saw arranging testing as a hassle and 89 per cent agreed governments must standardise vaccinations/testing certifications.

“These responses should be a wake-up call to governments that they need to do a better job of preparing for a restart. Almost two thirds of respondents plan to resume travel within a few months of the pandemic being contained (and borders opened). And by the six-month mark, almost 85 per cent expect to be back to travel. To avoid overwhelming airports and border control authorities, governments need to agree to replace paper-based processes with digital solutions like the IATA Travel Pass for vaccine and testing documentation,” said Walsh.

Almost nine out of 10 respondents like the idea of using a mobile app to store their travel health credentials and 87 per cent support a secure digital system to manage health credentials.

However, 75 per cent say they will only use an app if they have full control of their vaccine/test data.

“IATA Travel Pass enables travelers to receive, store and share their health information with governments and airlines but they always keep control of the information on their own mobile device. Now is the time for governments to facilitate digital solutions like IATA Travel Pass to avoid chaos at airports as travel begins to return,” said Walsh.

Chief Executive Officer of Finchglow Travels, Bankole Bernard, said the aviation industry is dynamic and it should reflect the concerns of customers.

Bernard said the findings are a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to start restrategising on safe operation protocols, so as not to be left behind in global trend.

By Adeola Badru

Ibadan — As part of its determination to uplift the standard of Ibadan Airport, the government of Oyo State has facilitated the commencement of flights from Ibadan by Air Peace Airlines.

Sources close to the airport confirmed on Wednesday that the airline decided to enlist the Ibadan route following what was called "encouragements" by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

It was gathered that the airline has already flagged off ticket sales in all its outlets.

The airline, in a confirmation notice said to have been issued to authorities of Ibadan Airport, said that it will commence flight operations from Abuja to Ibadan and back starting from August 16, 2021.

"Air Peace Airlines is commencing operations into Ibadan on the 16th of August. It will run Abuja to Ibadan and back," the notice read."

Sources close to the government in Ibadan also confirmed that the Airline had concluded plans to flag off its operations from Ibadan.

A source close to the government who is in the know of the development said in Ibadan on Wednesday: "Of course, it is true that Air Peace is kick-starting flights to Ibadan from mid-August 2021.

"This is a good testament to efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde to turn around the Airport and help it to get the international standard it deserves."

"If all the Regional Airports established at the same time with that of Ibadan are already doing well, why won't the Ibadan Airport take advantage of its closeness to Lagos and take a slice of the goodies of Lagos.

"The governor is doing everything to ensure that and this is why Air Peace has finalised arrangements to start flying Ibadan route."

"You will recall that apart from the purchase of a sophisticated fire truck and other equipment which facilitated the Category Six Certification of the Airport, Oyo State government has also awarded the contract for the installation of a 500,000 litre capacity Aviation fuel facility at the Airport at the cost of N1.2billion."

"That is aside from other ancillary works including the repair works on the runway and the terminal building."

"I can tell you that the government of Oyo State is doing everything to ensure that Ibadan Airport not only attains the much needed international status but that it also begins to serve as the immediate alternative to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, in case of congestion and even weather challenges."

"It does not augur well for Nigeria that anytime international flights cannot land in Lagos, they go to Accra, Ghana, meanwhile Ibadan Airport can easily be accessed to serve that purpose and with the Lagos/Ibadan train fully operational and the reconstruction of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, passenger's won't find it difficult to get to their destinations from Ibadan."

The ongoing concession process for the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airports by the Federal Government will be completed in 2022, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Legacy Awareness and Campaign said.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in 2017 approved the concessioning of the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports to increase their capacity and efficiency.

Also the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation had in June said it would concession the four airports for a period of 20-30 years, which may be “extended depending on performance and Nigeria’s best interests”.

APC Legacy Awareness and Campaign said the programme is part of the Aviation Roadmap, launched by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in May 2016, with the aim of transforming the sector, in terms of safety, infrastructure and economic viability.

The group in a statement signed by Ismail Ahmed, acting national youth leader of the Party; Lanre Issa-Onilu, former APC National Publicity Secretary; Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media and Salihu Lukman, Director General Progressives Governors Forum, said the

Aviation Industry is undergoing a revolution under the watch of President Buhari.

The APC voluntary think-tank group, highlighted the Aviation Roadmap to include the establishment of a National Carrier, development of Agro-Allied/Cargo Terminals, concessioning of the Major International Airports and establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Center.

Others are establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company, development of Aerotropolis (Airport Cities), establishment of an Aerospace University, designation of four International Airports as Special Economic Zones, upgrade of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

“Since the launching of the Aviation Roadmap, the Ministry of Aviation has focused on implementation. In terms of infrastructure, the new Terminals of the Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano International Airports, inherited from the previous administration, have been completed, while the new Lagos Terminal is very close to completion. Brand new Runways have been constructed at the Abuja and Enugu International Airports, in 2017 and 2020, respectively.

“More than a dozen airports around the country have had Low Level Winds hear Alert Systems (LLWAS) installed, to improve flight safety. Investigations revealed that the Sosoliso and ADC plane crashes of 2005 and 2006 respectively were caused by the absence of LLWAS in the airports.

“The Lagos and Abuja Airports have had the Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) installed – which provides the capability for landing safely and accurately in conditions of near-zero visibility. Another 3 Nigerian Airports have been scheduled to benefit this year.

“A significant portion of the investment into the Aviation Sector has been focused on resolving issues and bridging gaps inherited from previous Administrations. One example is the payment of pensions owed to staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

President Buhari approved that the backlog of almost twenty years be cleared, and has released funds to this effect”, APC Legacy Awareness and Campaign said.

BY  Iwok Iniobong

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft used for the fight against insurgency has crashed in Zamfara State, after coming under heavy attacks by terrorists.

The Nigerian Air Force stated this in a statement on Monday by Force Spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet.

Gabkwet said the crash took place on Sunday at about 12:45 p.m, did not claim any lives, while the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo was rescued from the crash.

He added that NAF was undaunted by the crash and remains committed to carrying out its constitutional role of securing the country.

“On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State,” Gabkwet said.

This latest crash was the fourth air crash involving Nigerian military planes in less than a year.

The full statement:

“On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft. Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset.

“Using the cover of darkness and his phone set for navigation, Flight Lieutenant Dairo was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued. It is instructive to note that upon receipt of the news of the crash, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed that all efforts must be emplaced to rescue the pilot. Accordingly, NAF Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and helicopter gunships provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the pilot.

“It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a safe location. It is important to also recall that only recently, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, had directed the Armed Forces of Nigeria to do all it takes to flush out criminal elements in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“It is in fulfillment of this directive that the NAF, in conjunction with surface forces, has in the last 2 weeks mounted intensive day and night air interdiction operations against bandits and their hideouts, especially in these 3 states. Through these intensive air operations, hundreds of bandits have been neutralized and several of their hideouts destroyed.

” Despite the setback of yesterday’s crash, the NAF remains committed to fulfilling Mr. President’s mandate as well as other constitutional roles assigned to it. The willingness, readiness, and tested ability of the NAF remains unshaken and unwavering as it continues to carry out its assigned roles. Kindly bring the information to the awareness of the general public,”.

Thank you.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information

KEY POINTS

• During the Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps no other industry has been harder hit than the global travel and tourism sector.
• Some countries in Europe — Greece, Spain and Portugal, for example — rely on tourism to boost economic growth.
• As Covid vaccines were rolled out across Europe there were high hopes for a rebound in summer tourism in 2021. Instead, the season is looking highly uncertain.

Workers carry a scaffolding on “Paradise” beach in the Greek Cycladic island of Mykonos in 2020. The island is traditionally crowded with wealthy foreigners but turned into a ghost island last year. ARIS MESSINIS | AFP | Getty Images

During the Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps no other industry has been harder hit than the global travel and tourism sector with planes grounded, resorts closed and care-free vacations a distant memory for most of us.

Some countries in Europe — Greece, Spain and Portugal, for example — rely on tourism to boost economic growth with the prosperity of thousands of businesses, livelihoods and communities tied to the success or failure of the season.

As Covid vaccinations were rolled out across the region since late 2020 there were high hopes that Europe could look forward to a rebound in summer tourism this year.

Instead, the season is looking highly uncertain as the delta variant surges in Europe, prompting a plethora of varying rules and restrictions, traffic-light systems designating country risk profiles as well as possible quarantines and vaccine entry requirements.

Fourth wave?

Travel within Europe these days is certainly not for the faint-hearted, in more ways than one. The Covid infection rate has surged across the region as the highly infectious delta variant has swept the globe.

As with the previous alpha variant (which delta has now usurped) the U.K. was something of a harbinger of doom when it came to what the rest of Europe could expect. Britain saw a further Covid wave at the start of the year caused by the alpha variant and is now seeing another wave with delta.

Despite efforts in the continent to hold back the variant, the inevitable spread has taken place with the strain now accounting for the majority of new infections from country to country.

The Netherlands and Spain have seen big surges in cases, largely attributed to the night time sector after both countries reopened their nightclubs in late June, only to reverse course two weeks later. Meanwhile, France declared it was entering a fourth wave of the pandemic earlier this week, with government spokesman Gabriel Attal sounding the alarm:

“We have entered a fourth wave. The dynamics of the epidemic are extremely strong. We see a faster wave, and a sharper rise than all the previous ones … the incidence rate continues to explode ... A rise so big, so sudden, we haven’t seen that since the beginning of the pandemic,” Attal said on Monday.

Tourism and airline stocks took a beating at the start of the week when global markets plunged sharply on renewed fears for the global recovery. EasyJet and Ryanair, well-known low-cost airlines in Europe, were among the stocks seeing pronounced declines. Shares of easyJet, for example, were trading at 842.20 pence on Friday but plunged to 758.20p by Monday early afternoon.

WATCH NOW

VIDEO03:16
Europe’s reopening won’t be a ‘straight-line’, easyJet CEO says

Easyjet’s CEO Johan Lundgren told CNBC on Tuesday that the travel sector was facing an “extraordinarily challenging” situation, but that vaccination programs in Europe were the key to reopening. Data shows two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca-Oxford University are effective against the delta variant and lower the risk of hospitalization and death.

“We always knew that [the recovery] was not going to be a straight line ... But we are seeing that restrictions are being unwound. But it’s absolutely true that when you do open up societies and communities, there is an increase also in infections. The question is to make sure the vaccinations are breaking the link between [infection and] severe hospitalization and death, and fortunately it looks to be that way,” Lundgren told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe.”

Complex travel

Anyone making last-minute plans for a European vacation this year should brace themselves for an often confusing, complex and rather stressful experience — and that’s before you’ve even stepped off the plane.

Take going to Greece from the U.K. — a vacation that 3.4 million Brits did in 2019, official statistics show — as a general example of the complexities of going on vacation in these troubled times:

Greece is allowing visitors from the U.K. if they can provide proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72-hour period before arrival into the country or proof of a negative rapid antigen test undertaken by an authorized lab within the 48-hour period before the scheduled flight; or proof of two doses of a Covid vaccine completed at least 14 days before travel.

Before you even get to Greece, however, you have to fill in a Passenger Locator Form no later than 11:59 p.m. (local time) of the day before arriving stating your vaccination status, vacation address and next of kin. Then before returning to the U.K., holiday makers have to do a PCR test and fill out another passenger locator form and then within two days of after arriving back in the U.K. do a further PCR test or quarantine for 10 days.

All that, and Greece is actually one of the easier places to go on vacation this year.

Like its fellow European countries, Greece has not escaped the somewhat inevitable rise in Covid cases as the economy (particularly the island night time economy) has opened up. Still, the daily number of cases appears small compared to, say, France or the U.K. On Wednesday, Greece reported 2,972 new cases, 19 of which were located after checks at the country’s borders.

Busier times in Paliouri beach, Greece: This image was taken in 2017 which was considered to be one of the best performing summers, in terms of visitors arrivals. NurPhoto | NurPhoto | Getty Images

Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of risk consultancy Teneo Intelligence, noted on Wednesday that the resurgence of Covid-19 in Greece “poses new challenges, especially with regard to another meager tourism season and the economic consequences that will follow,” circumstances that put pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Mitsotakis had been hoping to leave the pandemic behind this summer as his center-right government reached the midway point of its four-year term in office. He was aiming to oversee an improvement in tourism receipts, the launch of Greece’s recovery plan and a return to growth. However, Covid-19 numbers have risen significantly in recent weeks and the vital tourism sector is already pushing for more state support in the autumn amid fears of more disappointing visitor numbers this year,” Piccoli noted.

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As the Delta variant is gradually becoming more dominant, Piccoli noted that Greece faces a conundrum as “the number of daily vaccinations has slowed this month to below 100,000 despite the government offering Greeks aged 18-25 a 150-euro ($177) incentive to get vaccinated.”

So far, he said, only around 120,000 out of an estimated 980,000 Greeks in this age group have been vaccinated.

Vaccination levels in the general population have reached almost 52% for at least one dose of the vaccine and nearly 44% for complete vaccination, Piccoli noted, adding that “the recent slower uptake has raised doubts about whether the government can achieve its target of vaccinating 70-75% of the adult population by the end of the summer.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has restated its commitment to air passengers, announcing its readiness to host air travellers during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

FAAN said the necessary safety measures had already been put in place to ensure safe travel process.

“To ensure safe, healthy and seamless facilitation of our highly esteemed passengers during this celebration, the authority has put necessary safety measures in place, particularly with respect to the COVID-19 protocols laid down by relevant government agencies,” it said.

According to a statement by FAAN on Monday, other facilities are also functioning optimally, while the airports security architecture has been strengthened to provide for the expected increase in passenger traffic at the airports.

The statement said intending passengers should make early preparations towards completing their travel requirements in good time.

“We want to re-emphasise that protocol officers and orderlies of dignitaries will not be allowed into the airport except they are travelling alongside their principals as only travelling passengers will be allowed into the airports,” it added.

The U.S. land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21, according to a renewal order issued by the American government Wednesday.

In a notice pre-published in the U.S. Federal Register, the U.S. government says that while vaccination rates have improved, opening the land border to non-essential travel still poses too great a risk.

"Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing specific threat to human life or national interests," says the U.S. government notice.

The new order expires one minute before midnight on Aug. 21.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement that offered little additional explanation.

"To decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through August 21, while ensuring the continued flow of essential trade and travel," wrote DHS spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández.

"DHS is in constant contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably."

"We rely on the guidance of our health and medical experts, not on the actions of other countries," Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Cincinnati.

"We created these working groups so we can have an open line of communication, discussion on what the criteria look like, what measures needed to be met. Those are ongoing and of course, we continue to be briefed internally as well."

The American order comes only a few days after the Canadian government announced its land border would open to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9 and to fully vaccinated travellers from other countries on Sept. 7.

No change to Canada's border plan: Blair

Speaking to reporters today, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said he has been working closely with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who informed him of the U.S. government's plan to keep its land border closed to non-essential travel.

"There are a number of considerations that I know that the American government is currently undertaking with respect to their borders and that work will continue," he said.

Blair said the U.S. policy doesn't affect Canada's decision to open its border next month.

"Our responsibility, of course, is to look after the best interests of Canadians and to follow the advice of our public health officials," he said. "That's precisely what we have done."

Perrin Beatty, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, was sharply critical of the U.S. government's decision and the lack of co-ordination with Canada's move to open the land border to fully vaccinated Americans with a PCR test starting Aug. 9.

"It flies in the face of both science and the most recent public health data," said Beatty, who urged the Canadian government to press Washington to change its mind. "It's hard to see how allowing fully vaccinated Canadians to enter the U.S. poses a public health threat when travel within the U.S. is unrestricted."

Beatty said vaccination rates are higher in Canada than the U.S. and infection rates are lower, and pointed out that the U.S. has adopted different rules for those who fly to the States and those who want to drive.

'This is completely unnecessary'

South of the border, Democratic congressman Brian Higgins was infuriated by his own government's announcement.

Speaking to reporters during a news conference, Higgins said President Joe Biden's administration has to explain why it decided to keep the U.S. land border closed.

Higgins — who represents a district in New York state that includes Buffalo and Niagara Falls and was hard hit by the border closure — said Biden has to show leadership on re-opening the border.

"There's only one person who can make this work — that's the president of the United States," he said.

Higgins said his seats on the budget and ways-and-means committees give him "leverage" and suggested that the decision to keep the border closed without any explanation could prompt him to vote against Biden administration initiatives.

"This administration wants legislation passed?" Higgins said. "Okay, give us justification for your decision."

Higgins said the continued border closure doesn't make sense given the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, and is costing the U.S. economy an estimated $1.5 billion a week.

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose district includes northern New York border communities like Plattsburgh and Massena, called the decision to keep the land border closed "misguided."

"President Biden's failure to reopen the northern border, especially given Canada's recent decision to reopen the border to fully vaccinated American travellers in August, is absolutely and unequivocally unacceptable," said Stefanik.

"This failure of the Biden Administration to reopen our Northern Border is devastating to North Country families, businesses, and communities who were hopeful that the United States would reciprocate on Canada's decision to restore travel across the border."

Stefanik called on fellow lawmakers to support the Restoring Northern Border Travel Act she introduced last month, which would expand the list of people allowed to cross the border to include family members and property owners.

Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene said keeping the border closed will result in more businesses shutting down in her Washington State district.

"Right now, Canadians can fly from Vancouver to Seattle but residents in the border town of White Rock cannot drive the short distance south across the border to Blaine," said DelBene, whose district includes the community of Point Roberts, where residents traditionally travel through Canada to get to the rest of the United States.

"Instead of helping them build back better, we're putting our border communities at a significant disadvantage."

Elizabeth Thompson can be reached at [email protected]