Passports required for U.S. air travel Jan. 23, 2007

Edmonton-region residents urged to secure passports as soon as possible

Edmonton — Canadians planning to travel via air to the United States as of Jan. 23, 2007 must have a valid Canadian passport. Edmonton Airports is urging Edmonton-region residents to apply for their passports as soon as possible to ensure they have a valid passport for any leisure or business travel trips planned to or from the U.S. on or after Jan. 23, 2007.

The new air travel measures are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) being implemented by the U.S. to streamline the current Unites States Border Patrol (USBP) identification system and to enhance border security.

“We certainly don’t want any of our customers showing up to the airport for a winter vacation or a business trip and realize they can’t go because they don’t have a valid passport,” says Reg Milley, President and CEO, Edmonton Airports.

If you are at least 16 years old and a Canadian citizen residing in Canada, you can apply for your passport online at The Government of Canada. Passport application forms can also be picked up at any Canada Post outlet, Service Canada Centre, or at the Passport Canada office in downtown Edmonton.

Passports required for children

• Since Dec. 11, 2001, all children who travel by air require a passport.
• If you are a parent who holds a valid Canadian passport that lists the name of your child, the passport will remain valid for you and your child until it expires.
• However, two exceptions apply. When your child travels without you or when he or she reaches the age of 16, your child is required to have a separate passport.
• To learn more, visit the Passport Canada website at www.pptc.gc.ca.

Passport requirements for Canadians travelling by land or sea will be implemented on or before June 1, 2009. For peace of mind, all Canadians who are planning to travel to the U.S. by land and sea should apply for their passports sooner rather than later. For more information visit the CBSA at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Edmonton Airports’ vision is: To be the North’s preferred gateway to the World, and the World’s preferred gateway to the North.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Edmonton Airports Corporate Communications
Jim Rudolph, Phone: (780) 890-8454, Cell: (780) 717-5117
E-mail: jrudolph@flyeia.com