Travel requirements

International travel update

Recently, the Government of Canada announced new rules for international travel:

  • Effective January 31, 2021 all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries are suspended until April 30, 2021. 
  • Beginning February 21, 2021 at 8:59 p.m. PST, all air travellers arriving in Canada must reserve a room in a government-approved hotel for three nights and take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost. Learn more about the mandatory hotel stop over. 
  • If you are an international traveller arriving in B.C., you must arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Visit YVR's website for more information about what to expect.

There are no international flights operating at YLW.  If you are arriving in B.C. from an international destination, you will land at Vancouver International Airport. For more information on the travel restrictions and requirements, visit tc.canada.ca.

Travel guidelines for B.C.

B.C.'s Provincial Health Offier (PHO) is advising individuals to significantly reduce social interactions and non-essential travel. This includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province. Learn more about essential travel guidelines at the Government of B.C. website.

COVID-19 testing for travel

Currently, COVID-19 testing is not available for travellers departing from YLW. Passengers travelling within Canada are not required to test negative for COVID-19. For more information about testing options available in B.C. visit our Healthy Travel page or call 8-1-1. 

All air passengers five years of age or older arriving in Canada are required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country. Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada. Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine. For more information, visit the Government of Canada website.

Masks are required

Transport Canada has new requirements for face coverings in airports. Acceptable masks must cover the nose and mouth (fitted disposable or cloth masks). Masks with exhalation valves/vents, bandanas, neck gaiters and face shields are not permitted.

Masks must be worn at all times in the public areas of the terminal, except when eating or drinking. Please ensure your mask is on prior to entering the terminal. Masks are not required to be worn by children under two years old and individuals with medical conditions that prevent mask usage. If you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, you will be required to provide a medical certificate. Visit the Transport Canada website for more information.

Health and temperature screening

All airlines are required to conduct a health check of travellers before they board a flight within Canada or departing from Canada. Transport Canada also requires all departing passengers and all employees working post security at YLW to undergo a temperature check at security screening checkpoints.

All international travellers (over the age of five) arriving at Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto Pearson or Montréal-Trudeau airports are required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to boarding a flight to Canada. Visit our COVID-19 travel updates page for more information. 

Healthy travel

We've implemented a series of new health and safety initiatives at YLW to ensure passengers can feel confident when travelling through the airport, and know what to expect before they arrive.

Safety measures now in effect at YLW:

  • Asking everyone who enters the terminal to wear a mask and sanitize their hands
  • Transport Canada requires all passengers who are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons to provide a medical certificate. Visit the Transport Canada website for more information.
  • Requesting passengers say goodbye to friends and family outside the terminal
  • Advising arriving passengers to collect their baggage and immediately exit the building

What you can expect

We know air travel looks different these days, but we are here to welcome passengers back and ensure their journey through YLW is as easy, stress-free and safe as possible. Visit our Healthy Travel page for more information about what to expect the next time you travel. 

Where can I fly?

Many airlines have made changes to flight schedules and in some cases, suspended service to some destinations temporarily. Visit our Destinations & Airlines page to find out where you can travel to from YLW.

What's open at YLW?

The airport terminal building is open daily from 4 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. White Spot, Subway, Tim Hortons, the Wine Shop and the gift shop have re-opened with COVID-19 safety measures in place. For current hours, visit our Healthy Travel page. 

Public exposures

The safety and well-being of passengers, employees and our community is our priority. YLW is committed to sharing information and updates about COVID-19 impacts at the airport. 

All recent travellers are advised to check and monitor the BCCDC's Public Exposures website for possible in-flight exposures to COVID-19. If your flight is listed, you may be required to self-isolate or self monitor for symptoms. We are providing our utmost support to these agencies and are doing our part to help notify the community of potential exposure.