WestJet to offer approved pre-flight testing for Hawaii travel

WestJet to offer approved pre-flight testing for Hawaii travel — CALGARY, AB. Nov. 20, 2020 — WestJet today announced it has collaborated with the State of Hawaii to begin offering a pre-flight COVID-19 testing program for guests travelling to the islands. A negative test result, from WestJet laboratory partner DynaLIFE, is required within 72-hours of departure to Hawaii and will exempt the guest from the state’s required 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

“Safety remains our number one priority and we thank Governor Ige and the State of Hawaii for providing this opportunity for Canadians to enjoy all that the islands have to offer while safely supporting the tourism industry,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “WestJet’s teams are working hard to rebuild confidence in air travel through important partnerships like this one with Hawaii’s Trusted Travel Partner program and DynaLIFE. With pre-departure and arrivals testing now available through the collaborative efforts of the Governments of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the YYC Calgary International Airport, our guests have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy safe and enjoyable travel without the rigorous quarantine requirements.”

“Many Canadians love to visit Hawaiʻi during the winter months to escape the cold weather, so the timing for this works well. Hawaiʻi has the most rigorous pre-travel testing program in the United States, and we’re grateful to WestJet for making it available to their passengers,” said Hawaii’s Governor David Ige.

The airline will begin the testing program in partnership with DynaLIFE in Alberta for guests holding a WestJet-ticketed itinerary to Hawaii within 72-hours. Details can be found here: westjet.com/covidtesting. While the testing, which costs $150 CAD per person and is payable by the guest, is currently only available in Alberta, the testing is open to all Canadian residents. Guests travelling to Hawaii are responsible for ensuring they receive a test within 72-hours of their flight departing to Hawaii in order to avoid quarantine and will be required to display their negative test result prior to boarding. If test results are not available before boarding the final leg of the trip, the traveller must quarantine for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever is shorter.

“Throughout the pandemic, Albertans have been safely and responsibly travelling south to the United States for work and to visit loved ones,” said Doug Schweitzer, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. “Two-thousand Albertans have already travelled and returned to the province under the Calgary International Airport testing pilot, and major industries like film and tourism are looking to Alberta as a leader in this area. It’s encouraging that the State of Hawaii – which has had among the strictest travel restrictions since March – has clearly expressed that DynaLIFE’s made-in-Alberta testing is safe for international travellers to visit their islands with a significantly reduced quarantine period.”

All visitors intending to visit Hawaii must register prior to travel: Hawaii entrance requirements are found at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/.

Earlier this week, the airline announced its December schedule including twice-weekly, non-stop Dreamliner service between Calgary and Honolulu and Calgary and Maui.

On November 2, YYC Calgary International Airport began hosting the COVID-19 testing trial supported by the Governments of Canada and Alberta, trialing a reduced quarantine period upon arrival in Alberta with a negative test result, while protecting Canadians from COVID-19.

Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca