Christmas New Year’s 2024 Leave Travel Program Announced

It’s never too early to start making Christmas plans. With the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) announcing its Christmas New Year’s Leave Travel Program, the earlier those plans are solidified, the better.

As it turns out, the CAF will be operating this year’s program on a reduced level, even compared to other years, according to a recent CANFORGEN. This is due to “continued operational pressures.”

The program will begin Dec. 14 and will run until Jan 4.

“The purpose of the program is to provide Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and their immediate family the opportunity to be reunited during the holiday period within Canada using DND aircraft,” stated CANFORGEN 133/24.

Category One Travellers

The military says it will ensure that it maintains the necessary capacity to support category one passengers.

Category One is defined as:

• Regular Force, Class B and Class C Reserve Force Personnel and military personnel of U.S.A., NATO and Commonwealth Forces on exchange with the CAF that are separated from their dependents due to service reasons and not entitled to duty travel.
• All Regular Force, Class B and Class C Reserve personnel from the U.S.A., NATO or other Commonwealth countries to visit their next of kin.
• Only military members travelling alone are qualified for Category One.

The CANFORGEN states, “Applications from the above CAT 1 personnel will be considered equally, with priority going to the earliest date and time an application was received at the National Passenger Service Centre (NPSC).”

Category One applicants must apply between Sept. 24 to Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Further information about how Category One applicants can apply is listed in detail in the CANFORGEN or through reaching NPSC.

Category Two Travellers

Category Two travellers are subject to more of a limited capacity.

All other CAF military personnel and eligible dependents who are entitled to leave on a no-duty basis and are not already confirmed as Category One fall under Category Two.

Applications from the above personnel, according to the CANFORGEN, will also “be considered equally, with priority going to the earliest date and time an application was received at the National Passenger Service Centre.”

Category Two applicants can apply from Oct. 16 up until Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Further information about how Category Two applicants can apply is listed in detail in the CANFORGEN or by contacting NPSC.

Space Available Travel

If space is available, once the first two categories are processed, there may be room for additional passengers. These passengers include all other CAF personnel and eligible dependents, Class A reservists with two years of qualifying service, and active members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, without dependents.

Additionally, military personnel of the U.S.A., NATO, and Commonwealth Forces, including dependents on exchange with the CAF are also included in this category.

For this category, applicants must wait until Dec. 9 to apply. They can apply by contacting NPSC at 1-800-823-3857 between 0730 and 1200 hours and 1300 and 1600 HRS (EST), Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

“Where seats are available, requests will be actioned on a first come, first served basis while the member is on the phone. A reservation will be created immediately with the member receiving a confirmation number,” stated the CANFORGEN.

Important FYIs

The military is quick to stress that travel under the program is considered non-duty travel and does not qualify for financial entitlements. Travellers need to bear in mind that if flights are cancelled for some reason, rerouted or delayed, the member is responsible for travel-related costs or hotel costs.

Applications for the program must be submitted using the non-duty travel booking form available on the DWAN here (accessible only on the National Defence network).

• Approved leave passes are not required to apply but will be required to board.
• One-way travel is permitted. However, stopovers are not permitted.
• Passengers are reminded they should not be in possession of cannabis or cannabis products aboard Royal Canadian Air Force flights.
• Any allergies that may require the use of a medication, such as EpiPen, should signal this on their application.
• Passengers are also reminded that flight times and dates are subject to change based on operational pressures.

When checking in, military personnel must ensure they have a valid military ID and a leave pass. Dependents must have one form of photo identification and two pieces of non-photo ID.

Cancellations

Cancellations should be made at the earliest possible moment and no later than 48 hours before departure. Anything later will be recorded as a passenger no-show, and the passenger’s name will be removed from all flight manifests, including connecting flights. Cancellations must be made via telephone.

“Passenger absenteeism has a negative effect on the program by denying seats to eligible, priority applicants whose applications were denied at the time of submission. Applicants holding informed seats and who do not advise of cancellations will have their name added to a NPSC generated no show list,” read the CANFORGEN.

Those added to the no-show list will forfeit their travel rights for the 2025-2026 Christmas/New Year Leave Travel Program.

Baggage

Those wishing to check in baggage during one of the CAF’s flights this year must note the following requirements:

• One piece is allowed: that weighs no more than 50 lbs. (23 kg) per passenger.
• Baggage cannot exceed 62 inches (158 cm) overall in dimensions.
• Each passenger is allowed one carry-on and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop.
• A carry-on bag cannot exceed 22x16x9 inches.
• A personal bag cannot exceed 17x13x6 inches.
• Passengers are not allowed to bring ski equipment, snowboards, hockey sticks, hoverboards, golf clubs, hockey bags or other oversized items.
• Strollers and approved child car seats are allowed and not considered checked baggage.
• No firearms or ammunition is permitted.

For more information or to reach out to the NPSC, contact them by phone at 1-800-823-3857 between 0730 – 1200 and 1300 – 1600 (EDT) Monday through Friday or by email here.