Airlines
WestJet Expanding Network To Include Calgary-Heathrow
WestJet will be adding non-stop service to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning early Spring 2022. As the carrier continues to increase global connectivity from Western Canada, the addition of non-stop service between Calgary and London-Heathrow signals confidence in the recovery of business and leisure travel between both destinations. John Weatherill, chief commercial officer for WestJet, said that: “As the airline with the most flights from Alberta, this is an important recovery milestone as we forge new connections between Canada and one of the world's most sought after...
Air Canada Exiting Canadian Government Financial Support
With an improved liquidity position and the ongoing recovery from the pandemic, Air Canada says it is withdrawing from further government of Canada financial support. The support package, announced in April 2021, provided the carrier access to interest bearing loans of $5.375 billion through several separate credit facilities. To date, Air Canada has only accessed the facility solely dedicated to refunding customers' non-refundable tickets, while all other remaining facilities totaling $3.975 billion have not been used. Air Canada’s president and chief executive officer, Michael...
UPDATE: PCR Tests Dumped For 72 Hour Trips By Canadians
Canada’s Health Minister, Jean-Yves Duclos announced that effective Nov. 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test. The Health Minister emphasized that this exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air and can demonstrate that they have been away from Canada for less than 72...
ATPCO Launches Five New Councils To Build Consensus
ATPCO has formed five new global councils focused on key areas of interest to the industry and which include: Offer Content Distribution & Infrastructure Customer Care Settlement Market Tools The five councils will comprise 51 industry executives with a mission to identify, prioritize and implement new ATPCO data, standards and technology to enable airlines to improve their digital retailing and solve customer pain points. Three of the councils -- Offer Content, Distribution & Infrastructure, Customer Care – were launched earlier this year and have already...
Lynx Air Set To Take Off In Canada
Lynx Air (Lynx) has arrived. Billing itself as Canada’s newest “ultra-affordable airline,” Lynx is on a mission to make Canadian air travel accessible to all, with low fares, a fleet of brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft and great customer service. The carrier will adopt the ultra-low-cost model that has revolutionized air travel across Europe and the United States, offering low fares, flexibility and choice. It has picked Calgary as its headquarters and plans to announce routes and schedules soon. Merren McArthur has been named CEO of Lynx; she previously served as CEO of...
Earn Aeroplan Points At The LCBO
Aeroplan and the LCBO have reached an agreement that will allow Aeroplan members to earn points when they shop at LCBO retail stores across Ontario. As of today (Nov. 16), Aeroplan members will earn one Aeroplan point for every $4 spent at LCBO retail stores, in addition to bonus points on promotional offers. To earn Aeroplan points in LCBO retail stores, simply present a physical or digital Aeroplan membership card at checkout. Aeroplan points can be redeemed in the Aeroplan eStore for travel to more than 1,300 destinations across the globe, as well as for hotels, car rentals,...
Speed It Up
In results from its recent 2021 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), IATA reports two key findings: Passengers want to use biometric identification if it expedites travel processes Passengers want to spend less time queuing Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice-president for operations, safety and security, said: “Passengers have spoken and want technology to work harder, so they spend less time ‘being processed’ or standing in queues. And they are willing to use biometric data if it delivers this result.” Careen continued: “Before traffic ramps-up, we have a window of...
Discover The World Appoints Pires
Discover the World has appointed Savio Pires to the position of National Sales Manager - Canada. In his new role at Discover the World, Savio will be responsible for Vistara’s sales operations in Canada and will work closely with Discover the World’s Canadian team to strategically grow our Partners brand equity, overall sales and marketing activities and initiatives. Savio has experience in the airline, cruise, tour, and online consumer travel industries and has spent over 13 years as a multi-national airline Sales Manager in Canada, most recently with Emirates for over 8 years...