Suspension of randomized COVID testing a step in the right direction: Airport CEO

As airports struggle with long wait times, the Canadian government has temporarily suspended random COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers.

Randomized testing will be suspended starting Saturday until the end of the month, Transport Canada announced Friday. The suspension won’t apply to those who aren’t fully vaccinated against the virus.

After the suspension ends July 1, all testing will be performed off-site in an effort to avoid causing further delays at airports.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers,” Transport Canada’s statement read.

“We continue to work with airports, airlines, baggage handlers, and other partners to implement solutions to reduce delays as we approach the summer peak season.”

The announcement was positive news for Regina’s airport.

James Bogusz, the president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority, says while the airport doesn’t offer many international flights in the summer months, this should make it easier for travellers trying to get back to the Queen City.

“The news the government announced (Friday) really relates to what has been happening at the major hubs in Canada. This would include Vancouver, Toronto or Calgary,” he said.

“What has been happening is the Government of Canada, including in Regina, has been providing randomized testing requirements for inbound vaccinated travellers for many months. But now that travel has rebounded, none of these measures that are in place were designed in a way to support a big rebound (in travel).

“My view is this is in response to the massive challenges they’re having at some of the major hubs, which are impacting us here. Keep in mind: If you’re travelling home through a major hub and have a two- or three-hour delay as a result of a poor Canada border experience, with all these measures, you may miss your connection back home to Regina,” he added. “It is a knock-on effect and we’re happy to see this.”

While the news is a step in the right direction for getting travel back to normal, Bogusz says Regina’s airport and others across the country are pleading with the federal government to end all of the COVID-19 mandates in place.

“What the government announced (Friday) is a good step in the right direction in terms of insuring there is a better processing time in these major hubs,” he said. “But what they have not done is drop the remaining COVID restrictions, including the domestic vaccine mandate to get on a plane in Canada along with other measures around airport workers.

“All of these we see as hindering the ability for the industry to recover.”

Bogusz added there are a lot of cities facing various economic challenges based on the fact there are lots of people in the country who are having a tough time flying.

While Canada loosens its pandemic restrictions at airports, the United States announced Friday it’s getting rid of a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to provide mandatory negative COVID-19 tests upon arrival as of Sunday.

Bogusz feels the Regina airport will see an increase in travel.

“If you’re fully vaccinated, you’ll no longer need a rapid antigen test to get (to the U.S.),” he said. “Although those tests were more affordable than the PCR test, they were still a deterrent for travel, especially if you’re travelling with a family. All of these things together are always a positive thing for travel.”