Airlines
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...
Etihad Rolls Out IATA Travel Pass
After successful trials, Etihad Airways has expanded IATA Travel Pass on flights between Abu Dhabi and seven destinations across its network as it continues to implement digital solutions to simplify the travel experience in the wake of the pandemic. It is now is available for passengers on all Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, Barcelona, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, New York and Singapore and offers the convenience of a one-stop platform for managing COVID-19 documentation. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The feedback from the...
Sunwing Survey Finds Canadians Ready To Travel
As Canadians across the country continue to get vaccinated and borders beginning to reopen, a new survey commissioned by Sunwing makes it abundantly clear that there’s a pent-up demand for travel. Results indicate that over half (58%) of Canadians plan on returning to travel in the next 12 months, with over two-thirds (68%) of those respondents indicating they are interested in an all-inclusive vacation. The survey also revealed that 57% of Canadians -- with at least one dose of the vaccine -- intend on travelling this upcoming holiday season. The survey was conducted by...
Disappointment Continues
June 2021 passenger demand performance reveals only ‘a very slight improvement’ in both international and domestic air travel markets reports IATA. And the airline industry association says that due to international travel restrictions, demand remains significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels. It also notes that comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19 and, as a result, the comparisons that it is using are to June 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. Highlights include: * Total demand for air travel in...
KLM Takes Off With COVID-19 Check, Upload@Home
KLM is advising that its customers who are travelling to a selected number of destinations can now have the necessary COVID-19 travel documents checked in advance. The carrier’s COVID-19 check | Upload@Home is a new service that allows customers to travel well-prepared and smoothly. Participation in Upload@Home is free and voluntary. KLM's online check of COVID-19 documents is now available for all KLM flights to Amsterdam, and for KLM flights from or via Amsterdam to Curaçao, Dubai, Lima, St Martin, Istanbul, Germany and Spain. The number of destinations for which Upload@Home is...
Change Of Plans
Responding to a query from Press Today about separate line-ups for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson airport, a spokesperson for the airport indicated that that plan was no longer in effect. In its response, the airport said that: “As Government of Canada travel restrictions ease in a health-focused and measured way, Toronto Pearson is committed to testing measures that will prioritize passenger and employee health while also resulting in efficiencies in the airport journey.” The statement continued: “Toronto Pearson, in collaboration with...