The Canadian federal government will drop the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to have pre-departure Covid-19 tests, from April 1.

Air Canada described the announcement as “excellent news for the entire travel and tourism industry”.

David Rheault, government and community relations vice-president at Air Canada, said: “The removal of pre-departure testing requirements will continue to accelerate and stimulate the recovery of Canada’s travel and tourism industry, which we are committed to help rebuild through the restoration of our global network.”

He said the airline’s recovery “remains strong” and it has expanded its domestic, transborder, Europe and South Pacific international route networks.

It is relaunching 33 routes to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including destinations such as Barcelona, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan and Venice.