KLM Increases Canada Services As Travel Restrictions Ease

KLM has announced it will increase its services to Canada after the country opened up to vaccinated travelers. The airline will offer daily flights to Toronto and Calgary, flights to Vancouver and Montreal four times a week, and a twice-weekly service to Edmonton via Calgary.

KLM will ramp up its schedule to Canada from today. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

KLM bolsters schedules to Canada

Canada has finally opened up to international travelers after shutting down non-essential travel since the beginning of the pandemic. After opening up to fully vaccinated US citizens in August, the country has now eased restrictions on vaccinated travelers from around the globe.

In response, KLM will increase its services to Canada starting today, together with its Canadian partner WestJet.

KLM’s new schedule is as follows:

• Vancouver – Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – Departure 11:15, Arrival 12:05
• Toronto – Daily – Departure 10:50, Arrival 12:45
• Montreal  – Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – Departure 15:20, Arrival 16:50
• Calgary – Daily – Departure 12:10/12:25, Arrival 13:15/13:30
• Edmonton (via Calgary)  – Every Thursday and Saturday – Departure 12:10, Arrival 16:15

Canada is now accepting fully vaccinated international travelers. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Pieter Elbers, President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM, said,

“We are delighted that the Canadian government is setting a good example by allowing vaccinated people to travel again. Thanks to its decision to ease restrictions, we can once again do what we do best: connect people and give them an unforgettable experience.”

Vaccinated travelers with a negative PCR test

As per today’s change in travel restrictions, passengers heading to Canada will need to be double-vaccinated and hold a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before departure. All double-vaccinated travelers must have received their second jab at least 14 days prior to flying.

Currently accepted vaccines in Canada are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/CovidShield, and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson). Additionally, all travelers will need to download Canada’s ArriveCAN app and upload their vaccination and test information and also complete a passenger locator form.

All passengers must still follow Canada’s travel requirements to gain entry. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Before today’s easing of restrictions, international travel into Canada was permitted for essential reasons only. Additionally, travelers were required to enter quarantine for a period of 14 days. Today, travelers arriving in Canada will no longer need to quarantine provided they meet all the requirements.

Pieter Elbers added,

“Our customers can now reunite with their families in Canada, or do business face-to-face. Being able to fly passengers to our various Canadian destinations is an important milestone and another step on the road to recovery.”

KLM cancels U.S winter flights

Despite renewed optimism for its Canada services, KLM was forced to cut its winter U.S schedule this week after the Dutch government added the U.S to its list of high-risk areas. The airline had planned to operate flights from Amsterdam to Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando from October 31st but has removed the routes “until further notice.”

KLM cut some of its U.S flights last week due to travel restrictions. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

KLM also branded the Dutch government’s decision as “a big step backwards.” The Netherlands stuck by its decision despite last week’s recommendation from the European Union that member states should consider lifting restrictions on travelers from the U.S.

Elbers added today,

“We hope that travel restrictions to and from the US will also be lifted soon.”

Are you planning on traveling to Canada now that the country has opened up to international travelers? Let us know your plans in the comments.

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