Air Canada, WestJet report strong August

Air Canada and WestJet have reported strong numbers for August. Air Canada reported a system load factor of 86.8% on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity) for August, matching last year's record for the same month. System traffic increased 7.1% on a system wide capacity increase of 7%. "These record load factor results were achieved as we continue to increase utilization

WestJet Vacations expands winter program

WestJet Vacations' winter brochure features increased capacity to Mexico and the Caribbean, with about 200,000 more seats available for southbound travel. "With the increase in non-stop flights from cities across Canada to a wide range of destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the US, we are able to offer a vast array of new hotel partnerships, of which many are four- and five-star hotel resorts," said Yehudi Altman,

LAN, TAM team up

South American carriers LAN Airlines S.A. and TAM have entered into a non-binding agreement that outlines their intentions to combine their holdings under a single parent entity. The combination would create a new Latin American airline group that would offer seamless passenger service around the world. The new group, to be known as LATAM Airlines Group, would include LAN and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina and

Porter expanding Tremblant service

Porter Airlines is returning to the slopes of Mont Tremblant, Que., for its fourth winter season, with increased service from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Up to 12 flights per week are available this winter, an increase from eight flights per week last season. The Mont Tremblant winter schedule debuts Dec. 21, running until April 3. Flight time is just over an hour between downtown Toronto and Mont Tremblant.

WestJet adds more sun routes

WestJet is planning to add service to more sun destinations this winter. Starting Dec. 11, the airline will have non-stop service from Quebec City to Cancun every Saturday until April 30. Service from the Quebec capital to Fort Lauderdale will begin Dec. 12, with one flight every Sunday until April 24. Beginning Dec. 9, the airline will fly from Ottawa nonstop to Las Vegas twice-weekly until April 28. Also starting

WestJet serves up Grasshöppers

WestJet and Calgary-based Big Rock Brewery are teaming up to make Big Rock's best-selling Grasshöpper wheat ale available for purchase on board all flights. Grasshöpper, which won a gold medal at the 2009 Canadian Brewing Awards, is a Kristall Weizen German-style wheat ale that is delicately hopped and delivers a bright finish. One of Big Rock's most popular beers, Grasshöpper is now being sold in cans on all WestJet flights with bar service (over two hours).

WestJet reports increased earnings

WestJet has reported second quarter 2010 net earnings of $21 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, marking its 21st consecutive quarter of profitability and a 130% increase in net earnings, year-over-year. Excluding the impact of a one-time special item related to revised estimates for provincial income tax allocation calculations in the second quarter of 2010, WestJet's adjusted second quarter net earnings for

WestJet unveils expanded winter schedule

WestJet has unveiled its winter schedule for 2010-2011, featuring three new destinations, 10 new routes and expanded service on more than 30 others. Beginning in November, WestJet will launch seasonal, non-stop service to New Orleans, Santa Clara (Cuba) and Grand Cayman Island, all from Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The airline will also launch new seasonal, non-stop service between the following

WestJet reports a 19% increase in June traffic

WestJet reports June traffic results with a load factor of 78.2%. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) or traffic increased 19% year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), grew 10.9% over the same period. The airline flew an additional 139,000 guests in June 2010 compared to June 2009. "Since June is a month when we transition into the peak travel season, we are very encouraged with this month's

WestJet expands self-service options

WestJet is expanding its self-service options to include self-serve baggage tagging, the latest in the airline's suite of self-service products, to other airports across Canada (still to be announced). Officials say the move follows "overwhelmingly positive feedback" from guests in Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton, where the feature was launched earlier this year. Self-serve baggage tagging allows WestJet guests