Hi All,
I wanted to share my experience which happened this morning. My parents were not allowed to board their flight on Lufthansa Airlines from Kenya to Vancouver, even though they had valid COPR and all necessary travel documents as well as additional proof for valid travel. Here are the details:
My parents COPR was issued before March 18 2020, so they are officially allowed to travel to Canada
Travelling from Kenya to Vancouver on Lufthansa (stop over in Frankfurt).
They were denied boarding at the Lufthansa check-in counter, with the reason officially being that travel documents were missing (I got that information by calling Lufthansa Frankfurt office just a few minutes ago).
I spoke with the Lufthansa check-in agent in real time (called Mom this morning and amazingly the Lufthansa agent took her phone to speak with me), I was told 2 different reasons why they were not allowed on the flight
1.passport did not have valid ETA (according to CIC, if valid COPR is present, ETA not required; also, the ETA IS still valid);
2. 30 minutes later, they demanded a "Card" in order to board. When asked what specific card they need, I was told they called the "Canadian Border" and her "Card" was not prepared in Canada, therefore not allowed to board.
While this was happening, I had called CBSA border services info line, and they agreed with me that my parents should have been allowed on. Lufthansa needed to communicate directly to CBSA liaison officer (all airlines have direct number).
No idea why Lufthansa did not allow them to board, and nobody is able to give us a definitive answer.
Can anyone confirm any other airline that is allowing COPR holders to travel to Canada?
Was hoping for any insight or advice regarding our current situation.