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The Traveling Hunter
New Rules for Flying on Air Canada
Canada's major airline charges fee for firearm transport
Hunters traveling to Canada should be aware that Air Canada has reinstated its $50 each-way fee for the handling of firearms. The fee is $50 USD for U.S. citizens, and $50 Canadian for citizens of all other countries. In addition, the airline is also now requiring trigger locks on all firearms it transports as checked baggage, and is charging $125 for transporting horns or antlers in the event your hunt is successful.
The Air Canada decision to re-implement the firearm-handling fee comes in the wake of a favorable decision on the fee by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). The CTA got involved after groups including Safari Club International, the National Rifle Association, and the Guide-Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC), among others, filed formal complaints about the fee, calling it unfair and discriminatory against a single class of passengers. After briefly putting the fee on hold for review, the CTA gave Air Canada the green light to begin implementing the fee again.
The $50 fee is a one-way charge, so you will have to pay it coming and going--something to keep in mind when planning your hunt.
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