Airlines
Demand Slammed
IATA said that the recovery in air travel decelerated in August compared to July, as government actions in response to concerns over the COVID-19 Delta variant cut deeply into domestic travel demand. Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to July 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. The latest results from IATA reveal that: Total demand for air travel in August 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 56.0% compared to August...
Austrian Resumes Montreal-Vienna Route
Beginning today (Oct. 1), Austrian Airlines is resuming its flights on its Montréal – Vienna route. Previously, the carrier operated the route from April 2019 to March 2020, before it was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The flight joins the already reinstated Lufthansa routes from Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver to the air carrier’s hubs in Germany, as well as SWISS’s Montréal flight to Zurich. Flight OS 73 will be year-round and consist of three weekly flights at the onset. It will depart from Vienna at 10:30 a.m. local time and arrive at Montréal-Pierre...
Swoop Takes Off To Punta Cana
Swoop will launch a new non-stop service from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) beginning Dec. 5, 2021. To celebrate the new service to the Dominican Republic, Swoop is offering a limited quantity of introductory one-way fares starting from CDN$200 all-in. Bert van der Stege, Head of Commercial & Finance, Swoop, said: “Our expansion into the Dominican Republic furthers our commitment to bringing even more choice to Torontonians who are looking to vacation without paying the traditionally high cost of travel.” He...
Swoop Flight Attendants Ratify Deal
Swoop reports that ratification of the airline's first five-year agreement for its Inflight Crew Members (Flight Attendants), represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been successful. Charles Duncan, president of Swoop, commented: “I am pleased to share that we have achieved our first collective agreement with CUPE. This five-year agreement with our Flight Attendants demonstrates the continued professionalism and respect between Swoop and CUPE Local 4070. As we move forward with a focus on our recovery, we welcome the successful ratification of the agreement...
Prime Minister Outlines Plans For Fall
In a media briefing yesterday (Sept 28), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear that his government will be moving forward on its plan to mandate vaccinations for federal workers. As well, the Prime Minister also said that everyone 12 years of age and older who wants to travel on a plane or train in Canada will have to be vaccinated. Trudeau said that the government will continue the work it already started on establishing proof of vaccination for international travel. And it will also finance the efforts of provinces who are putting proof of vaccination certificate programs...
All Aboard With Air Transat
Air Transat is taking off with its All Aboard! promotion, offering travellers 20% off base fares on flights to the United States, the South and within Canada until Sept. 30 when they use the promo code AIR20. The All Aboard! promotion applies to Eco Budget and Eco Standard fares for travel between Oct. 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022. Some exception applies. Agents should note that Eco Budget fares are available in SIREV Air. Eco Standard is available in SIREV as well. To take advantage of the offer, travel agents must first make the booking and then send an email...
Air Canada Resumes Canada and India Service
Air Canada has resumed non-stop flights to and from Delhi, India, following the lifting of the Canadian government’s restrictions on non-stop flights from India. The airline's flights from Delhi to Toronto and Vancouver resume arriving today. Mark Galardo, senior vice president, network planning and revenue management at Air Canada, said: “People are eager to reunite with family and friends and we are very pleased to resume service immediately from India to our Toronto and Vancouver hubs following the lifting of restrictions by the Government of Canada. We continue to be focused on...
Aer Lingus Takes Off From Toronto to Dublin
Aer Lingus has resumed its Toronto to Dublin service and for travellers booking between now and Oct. 7, special roundtrip fares are priced from $399 roundtrip. The offer is valid for travel between Oct. 1, 2021 and Feb. 17, 2022. Beginning Sept. 27, Aer Lingus will be offering four flights per week (Mon., Wed., Fri. and Sun.). Sandra Moffatt, manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada, said that: “We are delighted Aer Lingus has reinstated their direct flights from Toronto to Dublin, with regular frequency and great value airfare on offer for travel this Fall-Winter.” Moffatt...