Airlines
Finnair Talks Furloughs After Russian Airspace Closed
Following the closing of Russian airspace, Finnair has begun discussions with employee representatives on plans regarding possible furloughs of up to 90 days, which, if implemented, would impact Finnair flight crews. The estimated need for additional monthly furloughs for pilots ranges from 90 to 200 and for cabin crew from 150 to 450 employees starting from April. The final furlough need, however, depends on how the exceptional situation progresses and what mitigations can be found and will be defined during the negotiations. The negotiations concern all 2,800 pilots and cabin...
Sabre Terminates Distribution Deal With Aeroflot
Sabre Corporation is terminating its distribution agreement with Aeroflot. Sabre said it is taking immediate steps to remove Aeroflot flight content from its global distribution system (GDS). Sean Menke, CEO of Sabre, said that: “Sabre has been monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine with increasing concern. From the beginning, our primary focus has been the safety of our team members in the impacted region, as well as doing our part to support the much-needed relief efforts.” Menke continued: “We are taking a stand against this military conflict. We are complying, and...
WestJet Group, Sunwing Chart A New Course
Sunwing’s president of tour operations had a message for the Canadian travel trade following yesterday’s (March 2) announcement that the WestJet Group was acquiring Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines and would be joining forces to create a new tour operating business. Dawson writes: “We are excited to announce an agreement under which the WestJet Group will acquire Sunwing Vacations (inclusive of SellOffVacations and Vacation Express) and Sunwing Airlines to create a new, combined tour operating business which will be led by Sunwing’s CEO Stephen Hunter. As part of the...
IATA Predicts Passenger Recovery By 2024
IATA says that it expects overall traveller numbers to reach 4.0 billion in 2024 (counting multi-sector connecting trips as one passenger), exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels (103% of the 2019 total). The airline industry association notes that expectations for the shape of the near-term recovery have shifted slightly, reflecting the evolution of government-imposed travel restrictions in some markets. The overall picture presented in the latest update to IATA’s long-term forecast, however, is unchanged from what was expected in November, prior to the Omicron variant. But it also...
Sunwing Taking Off From Halifax To Varadero
Sunwing is expanding its flight service from Halifax to Varadero, Cuba. Beginning in March, Sunwing will be offering East Coast residents another weekly flight on Thursdays starting on March 10, 2022 until April 28, 2022. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, said: “As the only Atlantic Canada gateway offering flights to Cuba this winter, we’re thrilled to be introducing another flight from Halifax to Varadero for our customers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to enjoy.” And Dawson added: “As a Canadian favourite and easy entry...
Remove The Roadblocks
At an event in Calgary, the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable continue to call on the federal government to remove pre-departure testing entirely. It was joined in its call by medical and local business leaders to urge the removal of the restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers on or before April 1 when the regulations will be updated. And it notes that continued testing targeted at solely the travel sector is both unnecessary and not rooted in science. While the federal government took a step in the right direction by altering the testing regime around travel, its...
Canada Bans Russian Airlines From Its Airspace
Canada banned Russian aircraft operators from its airspace on Feb. 27 as a further response to the Russian Federations invasion of Ukraine. The move was announced by Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly and it sees Canada prohibiting the operation of Russian-owned, chartered or operated aircraft in Canadian airspace, including in the airspace above Canada’s territorial waters. This airspace closure too effect immediately on its announcement and is to remain in effect until further notice. In making the announcement, Transport Minister...
Testing Changes A Step In The Right Direction
With the federal government’s changes to testing requirements coming into effect today (Feb. 28, 2022), The National Airlines Council of Canada’s (NACC) interim president and CEO, Suzanne Acton-Gervais said that: “Canadians looking to reconnect with family and loved ones can do so with a little less confusion and complexity starting today.” In a statement, Acton-Gervais noted that: “As of Feb. 28, air travellers will be given the option to use either a rapid antigen test or a molecular PCR test to meet pre-entry requirements. Providing flexibility in acceptable...