Airlines
WORST YEAR EVER!
With the release of its IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) publication, which includes performance figures for 2020, it’s pretty clear how devastating the COVID-19 pandemic has been for global air transport. IATA reports that: 1.8 billion passengers flew in 2020, a decrease of 60.2% compared to the 4.5 billion who flew in 2019 Industry-wide air travel demand (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, or RPKs) dropped by 65.9% year-on-year * International passenger demand (RPKs) decreased by 75.6% compared to the year prior Domestic air passenger demand (RPKs)...
Air Transat Is Back And Flying Far And Wide
Air Transat is back. The airline operated its first commercial flights on July 30 -- Montreal-Punta Cana, Punta Cana-Montreal and Montreal-Vancouver. The flights kick off the carrier’s summer program, which will include 24 routes to 16 destinations in Canada, the United States, the South and Europe. Annick Guérard, President and CEO of Transat, said that: “It is with great joy and excitement that we return to the skies after these long months of suspension. We are thrilled to finally reunite with our travellers and allow them to reconnect with their favourite destinations...
Sunwing Takes Off To The Sun
Late last week, Sunwing Airlines’ first flight to the sun since January took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Those flights marked Sunwing’s partial return to service amid Canada’s soaring vaccination rates, easing border measures and increasing demand for travel. Weekly service will initially be offered from Toronto and Montreal, with additional routes expected to follow. Mark Williams, president of Sunwing Airlines, said that: “After a long seven months, we’re thrilled to be returning to the skies...
SVG Gearing Up For 2021 Peak Season
With the 2021 peak tourism season in St. Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) set to begin Aug. 7, when the first cruise ship – the Seabourn Odyssey – of the season docks in Port Elizabeth, Bequia, there will be lots of celebrating. Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Carlos James reports that 224 cruise ships are expected to call at the various ports throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the upcoming months. The Minister stressed, however, that this number may increase or can be negatively affected due to the fluidity of the global impacts from the pandemic. He also indicated...
ACV Takes Off From Quebec
Air Canada Vacations continues to roll out its 2021-2022 flight line-up to a range of winter destinations. A brand-new nonstop route from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida will start on November 2021 and increase in peak season, with an additional nonstop route from Quebec City to Orlando, Florida, beginning in December 2021. These flights are operated on a Rouge narrow body aircraft, featuring Premium Rouge and Economy Class, making it easier than ever to access all that Florida has to offer. The new line-up also features a full flying program from Montreal and new flights...
Trust In Travel
In the first of a two-part conversation, Travelport’s vice president & managing director, North America, Maurita Baker admits that while it’s hard to predict what the recovery will look like, what’s clear is that travel will recover and travel advisors have a chance to start with a clean slate as the world moves away from travel restrictions and people prepare to travel again. Baker pointed out that “pent up demand is evident, and we’ve been tracking the “shopping” trends in our own MIDT data that confirms people want to travel and they’re ready to...
WestJet Launches Calgary-Charlottetown Non-Stop
WestJet is celebrating the launch of its new Calgary-Charlottetown route, with the new non-stop flights directly linking Western Canada to Prince Edward Island for the first time and marking a positive sign for both region's travel and tourism markets. John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer, said that: “The introduction of new service between Prince Edward Island and Calgary is an important milestone for WestJet, our guests and these communities.” Weatherill pointed out that: “As vaccination rates across Canada continue to rise and restrictions ease,...
Air Canada Ramps Up Quebec Service
Air Canada has unveiled details of two new winter services departing from Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Flights to Fort Lauderdale will start on Nov. 19 and flights to Orlando on Dec. 17. Beginning Dec. 4, Air Canada will also be offering more flights to Punta Cana and Cancun. Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada, said that: “We're excited to be launching these two new routes to Florida from Quebec City, a first for Air Canada. We know that, for many Quebecers, Florida...