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Flight Information

COVID-19 

The safety and security of passengers, partners, employees and all airport visitors continues to be our top priority.  Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) continues to monitor developments related to the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.  

We continue to follow the situation closely and understand the apprehension among passengers, employees and the public.  We're confident in all of the health and safety response measures in place in Canada to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19 including the current travel restrictions, the message to avoid non-essential travel, enhanced airport screening measures and health checks and the directives regarding physical distancing.

 We continue to monitor British Columbia's restart plan and will be working to implement any guidelines from the provincial officials.  

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation, please visit PHAC's website here. Additionally, PHAC has established a toll-free COVID-19 information line at: 1-833-784-4397. 

Important note: if you have any concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider or dial 8-1-1 if you’re in British Columbia.  

Information for Travellers

  • Canada has closed its borders to foreign nationals, with some exceptions until July 21, 2020.
  • All Canadians should avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
  • All travellers returning to the country are required to self-isolate for 14-days upon returning to Canada, with exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people.
  • Canadians travelling domestically will not be allowed to board a flight if they show symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • PHAC requires airlines to conduct health checks of all travellers before they board an aircraft. The health check may be administered by an airline employee at the check-in counter or at the boarding gate.


     
  • Effective March 18, the Government of Canada restricted overseas flights to arrive into four (4) airports; Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Vancouver and Calgary.  
  • Effective April 10, all international travellers into BC are required by order of BC's Provincial Health Officer to self-isolate for 14-days and complete a self-isolation plan.  If you are a returning Canadian or on essential business travel, you will be allowed in.
  • Effective April 20, the Government of Canada requires air passengers to have non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during portions of their travel through Canadian airports and in-flight.  Travellers without a mask will not be allowed to continue with their travel.

    Face Covering Requirements for Air Travellers

Canadians Abroad In Need of Emergency Assistance

Call:  1-613-996-8885
Email:  sos@international.gc.ca

Canada has active COVID-19 travel advisories and several restrictions now in place and travellers are asked to consult the destination page at travel.gc.ca for the latest travel advisories.  New restrictions may be imposed with little warning.  

In order to manage the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada, along with the provinces and territories have put in place some new measures.

The guidance material to support Interim Order to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada due to COVID-19 has been updated:
 
COVID-19: 
 
For a complete list of COVID-19 measures, updates and guidance issues by Transport Canada please visit their website.
 
CATSA, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority under direction from Transport Canada is temporarily permitting additional 350ml of hand sanitizer through security screening.  Passengers may be asked to surrender it upon arrival international destinations.
 

What is Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) doing?

VAA is continuing to closely monitoring the situation and continuously assessing our plans to manage the impact of COVID-19 in our airport. 

Travel Safe YYJ and the Steps we have taken to prepare for travel: 

  • Working with our contracted custodial team to increase surface cleaning and sanitization in all high traffic areas and washrooms.  We're including the use of a concentrated probiotic cleaner which remains active for several days and enhances the efficiency of disinfectants.    
  • Deploying more hand sanitizing stations as received throughout the terminal building and adjusting all automated water taps in restrooms to run for 20 seconds, the recommended time to wash hands.  All of our washrooms already include automated soap and paper towel dispensers.
  • Physical distancing measures are in place.  Signage and stanchions have been placed at the recommended 2-metre distance marks at all check-in and gate counters.  
  • All baggage carts that are located in the cart corral areas have been cleaned and sanitized.
  • Deployed the use of electrostatic fogging equipment for use in seating areas and other high-touch points. This equipment disperses an even coating of disinfectant that kills germs including COVID-19.  
  • Reconfigured seating areas to allow for more distancing. 
  • Installed plexiglass protective barriers at airline check-in counters, gate counters and Canada Customs Primary and Secondary Inspection positions.
  • If you are picking someone up at the airport, park for FREE in the Short Term Lot and please wait in your vehicle.  If you must go into the terminal to assist a travellers, please send only one person and limit social contact.  Please only enter the building if necessary and please consider wearing a mask.  Please remeber not to leave your vehicle unattended at the curb.
  • Continuing to stay in contact with public health officials federally and provincially to ensure we are receiving the latest updates to keep our travellers, airport partners and employees informed.
  • Developing YYJ branded informational signage and communications for the air terminal building.
Please access the many resources available to stay informed and follow the advice of healthcare professionals.  VAA will respond and implement any additional measures as and when they are issued.

 

Status of Services at YYJ

  • Our Red Coat Volunteer Information remains closed until further notice. 
  • YYJ is operating with very reduced food and retail services.  The only food service available until further notice is the pre-security Tim Hortons which is open from 5:30 am -1:30 pm.  
  • The pre-security retail store, Breakwater Boutique is closed until further notice.
  • The post-security retail store, Harbourwalk Shops is open from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm.  Coffee and tea is available.
  • YYJ Airport Shuttle has ceased operations until further notice.
  • BC Transit is also adjusting to the fluid situation daily.  They do expect cancellations of some trips for the foreseeable future.  Schedules can be  checked here.  
  • Short Term parking is FREE.
  • Air Canada is currently operating three flights daily to Vancouver. Daily flight to Toronto resumes June 10.
  • WestJet is currently operating one daily flight to Calgary and one flight to Vancouver
  • Pacific Coastal resumed service June 1 with one flight to Vancouver and one to Kelowna Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

We're also continuing to work closely with our airline and concession partners who are also working very hard to navigate these challenging times.  Our airlines have significantly reduced their flight schedules at YYJ and our food and beverage and retail services have also been reduced based on the decreased demand. 

What you can do to protect yourself

Everyone has a role to play to protect themselves and those around them.  The most important precautionary measures being emphasized is to practice good personal hygiene, practice physical distancing and eliminate close contact with anyone that is feeling ill. 

The following precautions used to prevent the spread of a cold or flu are being recommended by the PHAC and International Civil Aviation Council (ICAO) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: 

  • Only enter the air terminal building if you need to.
  • Use your mobile device to check-in if possible and check with your airline about new procedures and guidelines. 
  • Practice physical distancing and leave 2-metres or 6ft between yourself and others and consider wearing a face mask when you cannot maintain distance.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20-seconds.  Using soap and water is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection. 
  • If a sink is not available, alcohol based hand rubs (ABHR) can be used to clean your hands as long as they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, use a wipe and then ABHR to effectively clean them.
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or practice good etiquette by coughing our sneezing into your sleeve.
  • Not share food, drinks, utensils, etc.
  • Wear your mask or face covering through the security checkpoint and while boarding and onboard the aircraft.  The wearing of a face mask is also recommended if you cannot maintain physical distancing.  Our Tim Hortons located pre-security does have masks for sale and our airside retail store has a variety of PPE available for sale.
  • If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please don't fly.  Contact your health-care provider or call HealthLinkBC at  8-1-1- so you can be safely assessed.  VAA will continue to work closely with federal and provincial health authorities as well as our airport partners to provide updates as they become available.
  • Limit the people in the baggage claim area to ticketed passengers only please.

Helpful Links

As the lead agency responsible for the response to COVID-19, PHAC is the best resource for the most up to date information.

Stay informed by following PHAC's Twitter feed.