Canada is lifting its remaining Covid-19 restrictions from October 1, including mandatory masks on aircraft, testing and quarantine.

Its ArriveCan app, where passengers upload health documents when entering Canada, will become optional.

The news was welcomed by Air Canada, which said the measures had not been justified by science.

“We believe it will greatly facilitate travel, help to continue stabilising the country’s air transport sector and support Canada’s economy,” said Craig Landry, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Customers and crew will still have the option to wear masks and we also encourage customers to monitor their own health to be sure they feel well and fit to travel.”

Landry added: “While today’s announcement is a positive step, we urge the government not to lose momentum. Lessons learned during the pandemic should now be applied to streamlining the air transport system in Canada and to enact further reforms.

“This includes improving processes, such as security and customs at airports, developing new trusted traveller programs, deploying new technologies and, more fundamentally, re-examining the user-pay model that finances air transportation in Canada, whose weaknesses and interdependencies were exposed by Covid.”