Cleared for takeoff! International flights resume at Ottawa International Airport
International flights resumed at the Ottawa International Airport on Sunday for the first time since the spring of 2020.
"We were pretty pumped to welcome our first cross-border flight in 19 months today," said the Ottawa Airport in a message on Twitter.
Flair Airlines flight 8334 departed Ottawa for Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at 7 a.m., the first international flight out of the Ottawa International Airport since the COVID-19 pandemic brought travel to a halt at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Flair Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale landed at the Ottawa Airport at 2:30 p.m.
The Ottawa Airport said there were "many happy reunions" on Flair Airlines first flight from Fort Lauderdale to Ottawa.
"Including these grandparents who were greeted by their daughter and grandson," said YOW on Twitter.
Meantime, a United Airlines flight landed in Ottawa from Washington Dulles just before 7 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday's flights are the first in a series of international flights set to resume at the Ottawa Airport this week.
On Monday, Flair Airlines will operate a flight to Orlando, while United Airlines will resume flights departing Ottawa for Washington Dulles.
WestJet will resume service to Cancun on Nov. 13, while Sunwing will add non-stop flights out of Ottawa to warm destinations by mid-November.
The resumption of international flights comes after the federal government quietly lifted its advisory against all non-essential travel abroad last Thursday.
Flair Airlines announced this summer it would operate flights out of Ottawa to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Las Vegas between Oct. 31 and March 26.
Air Canada and Air Transat will be adding flights out of Ottawa to the U.S. and Caribbean in late November and December.
AIR CANADA TO TORONTO ISLAND AIRPORT
Air Canada launched daily service between the Ottawa International Airport and Toronto Island on Sunday.
The airline will operate four return trips daily between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Ottawa.
Flights will depart Ottawa daily at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 4:25 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Flights from Toronto to Ottawa will depart at 7 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Travallers must now prove they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to board all flights at airports in Ottawa and across Canada.
As of 3 a.m. Oct. 30, anyone 12 years of age and older will need to show proof of vaccination to fly.
The federal government is providing a "short transition period" with unvaccinated travellers able to travel if they show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel. The government says rapid tests – known as antigen tests – will not be accepted by airlines and VIA Rail.
As of Nov. 30, only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed on planes, trains and boats in Canada.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Michael Woods
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.