Flight Restrictions in the U.S.

Due to the present flight restrictions into the United States, the joint E.M.O. forces of the Halifax Regional Municipality and the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada have identified options for passengers travelling on airlines not based in the U.S. whose flights were diverted to Halifax on Tuesday.

Currently, only United States-registered air carriers are being permitted to land at American airports now opened to commercial flights. That means only U.S.-carrier flights diverted to Halifax on Tuesday will be permitted entry into the United States.

Halifax Regional Municipality has been advised that some of the so-called foreign-flag air carriers have already made the decision to return to their point of origin and many others are expected to do so throughout the day. As a result, many passengers scheduled to fly on these carriers are trying to find alternative transportation to return to the United States.

In order to provide some options to these passengers, the joint Emergency Measures Organizations of Halifax Regional Municipality and the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada are working with private-sector land and sea carriers to find alternative routes into the United States.

Representatives from Tourism Nova Scotia are helping passengers make bookings to take a charter bus to Yarmouth and then to take either the Cat ferry or Scotia Prince to Maine. All costs associated with passengers' travel arrangements will be the passenger's responsibility.

Local agencies will be winding down and closing the 18 emergency shelters as flights depart.

For passengers who choose not to leave with their air carrier or return to the United States via bus or ferry service, commercial hotel and motel rooms will be available. They can make reservations by calling Check In Nova Scotia Reservations at 902- 425-5781 or 1-800-565-0000.