(Photo: Abby Zieverink, EverythingGP staff)

By Abby Zieverink

Grande Prairie Airport

Grande Prairie Airport hopeful for flight activity increases

Nov 22, 2021 | 5:38 PM

The Grande Prairie Airport saw a slight decline in flight activity in October, however, but CEO Brian Grant says they are still seeing over 50 per cent of the traffic they had pre-pandemic in 2019.

“August was our busiest month in 2021 so far, so we’re sitting at about 54 per cent of the traffic that we had pre-COVID in 2019.”

As Grant suggests, the dip in flight activity last month could be from a couple of things.

“We think it’s likely more to do with the COVID requirements for vaccination proof and PCR testing to go south of the border.”

He hopes this slight decline is only temporary and suggests many residents are not flying yet because of the uncertainty with the restrictions.

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Starting November 30, Canadians and permanent residents visiting the United States for less than 72 hours will not need a negative COVID-19 test to return home.

However, travellers out of the country for over three days will be required to present a negative test at the border when they return to Canada.

“A lot of people aren’t going south because they are just not sure if the rules are going to change before they come back,” Grant explained.

“That’s been the biggest thing, I think, is uncertainty. A lot of rules, a lot of changes over the last 18 months, and people are just a little bit nervous as to what may happen if they do book for a longer trip.”

With the proof of vaccination requirement, Grant is hopeful there will be a relaxation of the PCR testing to return to Canada.

“A lot of people are talking about travelling and getting around and I know a lot of people are saying ‘we’re just waiting for things to settle down and for a few more flights to get back in the air so we can get a little better connection.”

With that, Grant says he believes the airport will start to get busier during the Christmas season and into 2022 compared to the past few years.