Can we leave airport between flights?

[kaths]

I tried to ask Air Canada about this but their customer service is dreadful ...
In July we are travelling from Heathrow to Newfoundland via Halifax, Nova Scotia. Going in both directions we have nearly 8 hours between flights. All our flights are Air Canada.
On our outward journey I know that we have to collect our luggage at Halifax and clear customs. Does anyone know if we can check our luggage back in immediately or will be be stuck with it until check in opens for the part of our journey? Will we be permitted to leave the airport - 8 hours is plenty for a short excursion.
On our return do we have to collect luggage again at Halifax? I'm thinking perhaps not since there will be no need to go through customs. In this case will we be permitted to leave the secure area of the airport and again perhaps make a short excursion?
Thanks for your help
Kath

[jno]

there's a left-luggage office though no lockers.

http://www.flylowcostairlines.org/low-cost-air lines/flights-to-airport-halifax-international -yhz.html

So I would have thought so (though I'm not certain). Halifax isn't that big, the airport's about 20 miles away. Just make sure you're back in time for the internal flight check-in.

[tim20054]

I would assume that there would be a secure area such as left luggage to keep your luggage while you venture off for a small charge, unfortantly the airline normally wont accept bags for check in 8 hours in advance. If i is anything like New Zealand their will be a belt after customs where you able to place your bags and it will be kept to be loaded on to your next flight.

Again unfortantly by law you have to clear customs at the first point of entry into a country, in your case being Halifax, this wouldnt be the case on te return as you have already departed from within Canada, and would only need to collect your bags when you arrive at Heathrow.

Hope this helps

[Pippa24]

Since you are picking up your bags on your outward jouney you should be able to leave the airport. On your return journey if you are not picking up your bags, you are in transit having already gone through customs in Newfoundland so I don't think you can leave the airport.

Just remember that Canada is pretty huge and distances are big so 8 hours might not be such a long time. Make sure you get back to the airport in plenty of time.