Airlines
WestJet Makes Changes To Executive Leadership Team
WestJet has appointed Diederik Pen as its new Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Pen will join the airline's executive leadership team in the early fall, following the completion of the immigration process. At that time, acting interim COO, Robert Antoniuk will take on a new role as Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer. Pen has over 25 years of aviation-industry experience in the Asia-Pacific and European regions, and joins WestJet most recently from Wizz Air, where he was chief operations officer. Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, said:...
Air Canada Rebuilds Network, Adds Key Global Routes
Air Canada has unveiled additional details of its planned international schedule for the summer of 2021, including the resumption of 17 routes and 11 destinations across the world from its hubs. The airline is resuming its service between Calgary and Frankfurt, as of Aug. 1, up to four times weekly, and is also offering for the first time a unique non-stop service from Montreal to Cairo, Egypt, three times weekly. Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada, said that: “As travel restrictions ease across the globe, we are committed to...
Air Canada Connects Montreal-Kelowna
Air Canada has launched non-stop service between Montreal and Kelowna. The flights operate three times weekly, increasing to four times in mid-July and five times in August. The carrier will use Airbus A220-300 equipment on the route. This new route adds to the significant impact Air Canada has on the local economy and that of the province of British Columbia as a whole. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada contributed approximately $2.2 billion to BC's GDP, annually. Additionally, Kelowna is now connected to all four of the airline's hubs which connects the Okanagan Valley...
Billy Bishop Is Back
PortsToronto is advising that commercial airline service to/from the downtown airport will resume Sept. 8, 2021. The announcement from PortsToronto – which is the owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport – follows Porter Airlines announcement that it will restart its operations on Sept. 8, 2021. PortsToronto’s CEO, Geoffrey Wilson indicated that: “PortsToronto … has begun the process of recalling staff, preparing the airport and counting down the days until we can welcome back travellers to our successful and award-winning airport.” Wilson continued:...
Travelport, Emirates Reach Surcharge Deal
Travelport and Emirates have reached a commercial agreement that will allow Travelport-connected travel agencies to avoid the airline’s surcharge on bookings via Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that was introduced on July 1, 2021. The companies also unveiled details of a new long-term agreement to enable the distribution of Emirates NDC content via Travelport’s next-generation platform, Travelport+, and an extension to its longstanding IT agreement. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates said: “We are pleased to have reached key agreements with Travelport that...
Flair Adds Lift From Victoria, Montreal
Flair Airlines continues its grow its service from Victoria International Airport (YYJ), with the addition of non-stop flights to Kitchener-Waterloo, Calgary, and Edmonton. The ultra-low-cost carrier has also announced that it is expanding its service from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), introducing non-stop flights to Vancouver, Abbotsford, Halifax and Toronto. Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Flair Airlines, observed that: “Additional competition in the Victoria market is critical to ensuring a sustainable future of low-fares remains available for people in...
Porter Set To Take Off On Sept. 8
Close to 18 months after suspending its flights due to the COVID-19 public health and travel restrictions, Porter Airlines resume its flights on Sept. 8. The carrier indicated that its flight schedule will return in phases, with the initial group of Canadian destinations being Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, St. John’s, NL, Thunder Bay and Toronto. U.S. destinations in Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington follow on Sept. 17. Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines, observed: “This is the moment our team members, passengers and the communities...
Direct Toronto Flights Resume From Nanaimo Airport
Direct flights to Toronto are scheduled to resume on a limited basis in July at the Nanaimo Airport. The Air Canada flights are part of a measured reopening of the economy and will boost Vancouver Island’s vital tourism and hospitality sectors and make it easier for Islanders to visit and host family and friends from Eastern Canada via the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Dave Devana, president and CEO of Nanaimo Airport Commission, said: “Air Canada is a valued partner that supported Nanaimo Airport during the pandemic and continues to support us during reopening. We...