Airlines
Swoop Sets A Course For Winter 2021
Swoop has released its expanded winter schedule, featuring increased non-stop domestic service and the re-introduction of flights to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. With a sustained pattern of new daily bookings on par with pre-pandemic levels, Swoop also announced it will proceed with planned fleet growth, inducting its tenth Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft into service this winter. During the peak summer period, Swoop will operate all nine of its aircraft domestically. During the winter, the airline will provide travellers with flights across Canada, as well as to sun...
An Initial Step In The Right Direction
Canada’s major airlines certainly took note of today’s announcement by the federal government, but continued to caution that the country still ‘desperately needs’ a clear restart plan for international travel, based on data and science-based recommendations put forth by the federal government’s own expert advisory panel. Mike McNaney, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), said that: “Easing quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadians is an initial step in the right direction for the safe restart of our economy, but it falls far...
JNTO, Air Canada Co-Hosting Webinar On June 17
Baxter Media invites travel agents and other travel professionals to attend an exciting webinar with the Japan National Tourism Organization and Air Canada next Thursday (June 17) at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. Pacific Time). Japan is preparing to welcome back visitors! Tune in to the webinar to hear all about how The Government of Japan and Air Canada are ensuring safe travel. From the plane to all the great prefectures, you will be able to confidently and safely enjoy your travels and discover the best of Japan. During this interactive session, Master Chef Masaki Hashimoto of Kaiseki...
AC Executives Voluntarily Return 2020 Bonuses
Air Canada’s current executive vice-presidents and its president and CEO have chosen to voluntarily return their 2020 bonuses and share appreciation units. The move comes following what the airline described in a statement as “public disappointment around the actions relating to these 2020 executive compensation outcomes” and is “an acknowledgement of this, and in order to help address this unintended consequence.” As well, Air Canada’s former president and CEO, Calin Rovinescu -- who retired in February 2021 -- will be donating the value of his 2020 bonus and share...
Steal The Deal With Sunwing
There’s lots of pent-up demand out there and not surprisingly, Sunwing is reporting that it is seeing its sales increase for the 2021-2022 winter season. And in response to that demand, Sunwing is offering savings of up to 35% on its vacation packages as part of its Steal of a Deal Sale. Travellers can access the savings by booking select packages booked between now and June 11, 2021 for travel between Nov. 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, said: “We’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel as our customers start...
The Push Is On
The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) and Airlines for America (A4A) are pushing the Canadian government to release a ‘clear plan’ for the restart of the Canada-US transborder aviation market – one that includes exempting fully vaccinated passengers quarantine. In a joint letter to senior Canadian Ministers, Mike McNaney president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) and Nick Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America (A4A), write that: “As vaccination rates increase exponentially in both countries, and provincial governments release their...
Get Bright About The City Of Light
Paris will be in the spotlight in an upcoming webinar for Canadian travel agents hosted by Atout France Canada and Air France. Set for June 10 at 1 pm, the training session will provide agents with the latest updates on the City of Light, along with details of Air France's programs and safety protocols. Catherine Guillemart, executive vice president Air France-KLM Canada and Mélanie Paul-Hus, director Atout France Canada will open the session and greet travel advisors and members of the trade. Webinar participants will also have a chance to hear from partner suppliers, including...
Do It Now
Lay out an implementation plan based on the recommendations by the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel report and do it now. That’s pretty much the message that the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable has for the federal government, and pointing out in the process that Canadians are doing their part in getting vaccinated so it’s now time to provide clear, timely, and safe guidance on reopening travel and reuniting families and friends. The Expert Panel recommends eliminating quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers, implementing changes to testing and...