Airlines
Lockdowns Weaken Oz’s Domestic Travel Recovery
According to GlobalData, with Australia battling a rise in COVID-19 cases, domestic travel has reduced drastically. And the data and analytics company also points out that while Australia’s domestic recovery was strong in H1 2021, the reintroduction of lockdowns and state border closures will serve as a blow, and set to weaken and slow down the domestic travel recovery. Additionally, GlobalData says that Qantas airline standing down its staff signals the prospect of a longer road to recovery. Gus Gardner, associate travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, points out that:...
Porter Signs Support Deal With Embraer
As it prepares for a major expansion in North America, Porter Airlines has agreed to an aircraft aftermarket support program with Embraer. The move follows the airline’s announcement last month that it had ordered up to 80 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, including 30 firm commitments and purchase rights for another 50. Deliveries begin in the second half of 2022, as Porter prepares to grow beyond its current regional eastern Canada- and U.S.-focused route network to include routes to the west coast, southern U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. The agreement is effective for up to 20...
Get Ready For Chaos
Just when you thought it might be safe to send your clients back on the road again, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) have served strike notice to the federal government. PSAC and CIU represent the close to 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency employees and the unions are warning that travellers and commercial traffic entering Canada should expect long lineups and lengthy delays at border crossings and airports starting Friday, August 6 as those workers begin job action across the country. Chris Aylward, PSAC national...
Flair Airlines Takes Off To Abbotsford
Flair Airlines has launched service from Abbotsford International Airport (IATA: YXX); making it the carrier’s fifth community in British Columbia. The carrier will serve 6 Canadian destinations from Abbotsford with fares starting from $19. Stephen Jones, President and CEO, Flair Airlines, said: “We are delighted to see travel and tourism continue to return across Canada. Bringing our low fare travel options to Abbotsford is important for the community as we deliver more choices and competition for air travel. Our low fares are a powerful tool in economic recovery and we know...
Air Transat Launches Vancouver-Quebec City Flights
Air Transat has launched new direct service between Vancouver and Quebec City; with flights being operated once a week, on Mondays from Vancouver and on Sundays from Quebec City, until Oct. 25. Joseph Adamo, Transat’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer said: “It was only natural for us to add this route to our summer schedule. As we predicted, travellers are showing a strong interest in domestic destinations, so we are pleased to offer them this new route linking two of Canada's most important tourist hubs.” The route will be operated by next-generation Airbus...
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...