Airlines
Recovery At An Impasse
WestJet is further extending its planned schedule consolidations through March 31, 2022 as it continues to navigate ongoing uncertainty and barriers facing travel. Harry Taylor, Interim President & CEO, The WestJet Group, said that: “For two years, WestJet has gone above and beyond to keep our guests safe throughout their travel journey.” Taylor continued: “Travel advisories, restrictions and testing requirements were meant to be temporary, yet our industry has now reached an impasse that is severely impacting the recovery of our airline and sector. The time is now to...
Frontier, Spirit Take Off With Merger Deal
Spirit Airlines, Inc. and Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (the parent company of Frontier Airlines, Inc.) have announced a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine, creating America’s most competitive ultra-low fare airline. Together, Frontier and Spirit expect to change the industry for the benefit of consumers, bringing more ultra-low fares to more travelers in more destinations across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, including major cities as well as underserved communities. The stronger financial profile of the combined company will...
Make Them Go Away
IATA, along with Airlines for America (A4A) and 28 US and international aviation and travel and tourism stakeholder groups, is urging the US government to remove the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated air travellers flying to the US. The industry associations point out that the vaccinated traveller population adds no additional risks to the domestic US population. Increased immunity levels, the pervasiveness of COVID-19 in all 50 US states, rising vaccination rates and new therapeutics, all point to removing the testing requirement for fully vaccinated...
IATA Welcomes ICAO Health Master List
IATA is welcoming the creation by ICAO of a global directory of public keys required for authentication of health credentials. The directory -- called the Health Master List (HML) -- will make a significant contribution to the global recognition and verification (interoperability) of government issued health credentials. A public key enables third parties to verify that a QR code displayed on a health credential is authentic and valid. The HLM is a compilation of public key certificates signed by ICAO and regularly updated as more health proofs are issued and new public keys are...
Explore Canada With Sunwing
This summer, Sunwing is making it easier for Canadians to explore their own backyard with the return of its domestic summer program. Now in its 17th year, flights begin in May and will run weekly until the beginning of September to some of the most popular destinations from coast to coast. And, as an added travel incentive, the tour operator is offering customers savings of up to $200 per couple on domestic flights. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations at Sunwing, said: “We’re thrilled that our domestic program is making its return this summer. Our program is well...
Swoop Takes Off To Los Cabos
Swoop has inaugurated service between Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) and Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). Shane Workman, Head of Flight Operations, Swoop, said that: “As the country's leading ultra-low fare airline, we're pleased to add another warm-weather getaway option for residents of the Fraser Valley, with Los Cabos topping our growing list of non-stop destinations available from Abbotsford.” Workman continued: “Abbotsford International Airport has been an integral partner back, going back to June 20, 2018, when we operated our first Swoop flight. We're...
No Impact
ACI EUROPE and IATA are urging European governments to lift all travel restrictions for fully vaccinated/recovered individuals holding a valid COVID Certificate – as advised by the new regime for travel within the EU which came into force on Feb. 1, 2022. The new regime, set out by an EU Council Recommendation adopted on Jan. 25, is based on the health status of travellers, rather than the epidemiological situation of their country or area of origin. Independent research conducted in Finland and Italy provides insight into developing a Europe-wide policy for removing restrictions....
WestJet Vacations Takes Off With Swoop
WestJet Vacations has announced that Swoop flights are available for booking as part of a WestJet Vacations package. Only available for booking through travel trade partners, the addition of Swoop to WestJet Vacations packages brings more choice, affordability and increased flight options in primary and secondary markets for travel to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Dave Cecco, Director, WestJet Vacations, explained that: “As demand for leisure travel returns, we know that the addition of Swoop flights will provide enhanced travel options for price-sensitive travellers...