It didn’t take long for WestJet to express its “strong opposition” to Canada’s new non-essential travel advisory that was unveiled this morning.

The airline issued a statement this afternoon claiming that the advice outlined today “is not based on science and data.”

It also called the measures a setback in Canada’s progress and its successful transition away from the “blanket advisories and policies” that gripped the country for much of the pandemic.

“Air travel is the most tested and protected consumer activity in Canada, every person travelling internationally is tested on average twice throughout their travel journey,” said Harry Taylor, WestJet’s president and CEO.

“As the only fully-vaccinated air travel sector in the world, WestJet is calling on the government to publicly share the travel related COVID-19 data that has been used to re-impose the advisory and advice targeted towards fully-vaccinated Canadians and the travel and tourism industry.”

Taylor added that WestJet has safely flown more than seven-million guests since the start of the pandemic and air travel has been commended for its commitment to safety…read more.