Airlines
Russian Invasion Triggers Spike In Flight Cancellations
ForwardKeys is reporting that its latest data reveals that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted an instant spike in flight cancellations to and from Russia. On Feb. 25th -- the day after the start of the invasion -- every booking that was made for travel to Russia was outweighed by six cancellations of pre-existing bookings. The source markets exhibiting the highest cancellation rates, in order of volume, were Germany 773%, France 472%, Italy 152%, the UK 254%, India 285% and Turkey 116%. ForwardKeys also reports that the invasion triggered a collapse in the market for Russian...
Air France Takes Flight From Quebec City
As of May 17, 2022, Air France will start flights from Quebec City's Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG). It will operate three flights per week on the route, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights will be on Airbus A330-200 aircraft equipped with new cabins, offering a capacity of 224 seats – 36 in Business, 21 in Premium Economy and 167 in Economy. Flight AF0353 will leave Quebec City at 17:00, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle the following day at 05:45. Flight AF0352 will leave Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 13:10, arriving in...
FLYGTA Takes Off With New Options
With the end of lockdowns and travel restrictions FLYGTA is refocusing its efforts on its post pandemic future and bringing industry leading travel options to consumers and business travellers connecting with destinations in Canada and internationally. To that end, FLYGTA has announced the start-up of a number of route connections. Out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), it will be operating to New York, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Hamptons, Nashville, Quebec City, Niagara, Kingston and Muskoka. From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), it...
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...