Airlines
ACITA Briefs Transport On Concerns
The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors (ACITA) met with senior staff of Transport Minister Omar Alghabra last week to provide an update on the landscape of the segment of the travel industry that has been overlooked by the government during the past two years -- namely, Independent Travel Advisors. ACITA notes that “We are seeing an increase in bookings for our clients, but due to the nature of our revenue model, travel advisors do not receive any revenue until after our clients depart. So, although many people are booking getaways, cruises and bucket list trips...
Scotland Reconnects With Canada
Despite being separated by 3,000 miles of ocean, Scotland and Canada have enjoyed a long-standing connection for centuries through ancestry, history, trade, culture and much more. This spring/summer the two countries are being brought even closer together thanks to new and returning air routes across the Atlantic, connecting Scotland’s largest cities to Toronto and Halifax. Over recent weeks, routes connecting Glasgow to Halifax and Toronto have returned with WestJet and on June 2, the airline’s inaugural flight between Toronto and Edinburgh will take off. Air Canada...
WestJet Ratifies 10-year Deal With Flight Dispatchers
WestJet has announced that WestJet flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), voted more than 90% in favour of a 10-year agreement. This ratified agreement starts June 1, 2022 and expires on May 31, 2032. Diederik Pen, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, said that: “As our industry continues to recover, this 10-year agreement will help the long-term sustainability of WestJet and demonstrates our commitment to our WestJetters, our guests and the communities we serve. Our flight dispatchers exemplify true...
Swoop Touches Down In Newfoundland
Swoop has launched flights to Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF) from Hamilton's John C. Munro International Airport (YHM). Ryan Hubbard, Senior Leader, Airports, Swoop, said that: “As Canada's leading ultra-low fare airline, we are pleased to continue our Atlantic expansion into Newfoundland today with our inaugural flight to Deer Lake from Hamilton. Air travel is critical to the recovery of Newfoundland's tourist economy, and we're proud to support the province's Come Home Year 2022 campaign with ultra-convenient, ultra-low fares for Canadians." Along with the flight between...
Canada Jetlines Receives Stage 2 Approval From CTA
Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. advises that the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has determined that the company has met the agency’s financial requirements. The CTA had previously determined that Canada Jetlines met the Canadian Control requirements. With the satisfaction of this significant milestone, the formal CTA commercial license will be issued following the issuance of the Air Operator Certificate (“AOC”) by Transport Canada. Eddy Doyle, CEO Canada Jetlines, said: “This is an important milestone for Canada Jetlines as we are approaching the completion of the AOC...
Public Can Have Its Say
On April 8, 2022, WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Sunwing Travel Group notified the Minister of Transport that WestJet proposes to acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. This notification was in accordance with the mergers and acquisitions provisions of the Canada Transportation Act. The Minister of Transport has determined that the transaction raises public interest considerations related to national transportation. As such, a public interest assessment of the proposed transaction will be conducted with input from the Commissioner of Competition, who will assess impacts on...
Sky Bird Travel & Tours Celebrates 45
Sky Bird Travel & Tours hosted its 45th-anniversary celebration at the prestigious Detroit Athletic Club recently, welcoming over 60 airline representatives to its gala event. Company CEO, Arvin Shah, and his wife, Jaya Shah greeted and mingled as guests arrived at the opening cocktail reception. The main event was kicked off by the event’s Master of Ceremonies who delighted the audience with several lighthearted jokes and 1976 nostalgia, the year Sky Bird Travel was established. The first guest speaker introduced was longtime Shah family friend Andy Bhatia, who shared...
Air Transat Unveils Winter 2022–2023
Air Transat is diversifying and expanding its international offering for winter 2022–2023; offering more than 50 destinations, as well as a few more through its code-sharing agreements. Michèle Barre, Vice President, Network, Revenue Management and Pricing of Air Transat, said: “Our customers want and need to travel. Our response to their expectations is unique, of high quality and rich in options. We are offering an unprecedented range of destinations on four continents for this coming winter as we continue to develop and strengthen our air network.” The carrier continues...