Canadian airports warn of 'chaos' amid new COVID-19 testing rules

Canada's plan to require novel coronavirus tests for all but U.S. arrivals on international flights risks causing 'chaos' and long lines if all passengers are expected to get tested at airports, industry groups said.

The move, announced Tuesday, comes as the travel season kicks into gear and could stretch airport resources as well as testing holiday-makers' patience, they said.

Daniel Gooch, president of the Canadian Airports Council, said airports cannot test all overseas arrivals on-site without long wait times.

"Do we really want people waiting for hours for a test in a customs hall?" he asked by phone on Wednesday.

"We want to avoid chaos. And we want to ensure that travelers who have booked trips are comfortable to travel."