Airlines
It’s Happening
According to research from ForwardKeys people are travelling to the United States to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. ForwardKeys says that the trend is most pronounced in travel from Peru, and other parts of Latin America, especially to Arizona, Florida and Texas. Up to May 18, ForwardKeys’ analysis of flight tickets issued reveals a substantial uplift in international bookings to Texas and Florida, during the fortnight after those destinations opened up vaccinations to all adults, including visitors. Bookings from all origin markets to Florida rose from 44% of 2019...
Aeroplan, Rocky Mountaineer Team Up
Air Canada has announced that Aeroplan members can now earn and redeem points – along with enjoying premium benefits -- when booking rail trips with Rocky Mountaineer. The new partnership with Rocky Mountaineer allows Aeroplan members to earn up to 20,000 bonus points for each eligible traveller booked with the scenic rail company. Mark Nasr, senior vice president, products, marketing and eCommerce, Air Canada, said: “While spectacular from 30,000 feet above, the Rocky Mountains are even more breathtaking from the ground. Air Canada is pleased to offer Aeroplan members an...
It Will Just Be Chaos
IATA is warning of potential airport chaos unless governments move quickly to adopt digital processes to manage travel health credentials (COVID-19 testing and vaccine certificates) and other COVID-19 measures. The global airline industry association outlined a number of impacts: Pre-COVID-19, passengers, on average, spent about 1.5 hours in travel processes for every journey (check-in, security, border control, customs, and baggage claim). Current data indicates that airport processing times have ballooned to 3.0 hours during peak time with travel volumes at only about 30% of...
A Responsible Path Forward
WestJet and the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) are both welcoming the findings outlined in the Health Canada Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel in the Border Measures Report that was released yesterday (May 27). Ed Sims, WestJet’s president and CEO, said following the report’s release: “Over the past 15 months, WestJet has been requesting science-based travel guidance and this report represents a responsible path forward.” Sims continued: “These findings are evidence-based recommendations that are proportionate and reduce risks. We ask that the...
Alberta Re-Start Plan Welcomed By NACC
The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) is welcoming Alberta’s ‘Open for Summer’ re-start plan announced yesterday (May 26) by provincial premier, Jason Kenney. Mike McNaney, president and CEO of NACC, commented: “Canada’s major airlines congratulate the Alberta government on today’s release of the province’s restart strategy entitled “Open for Summer.” McNaney continued: “The plan provides criteria for the phased re-opening of the economy including welcoming domestic and international visitors. We want to thank the Premier for providing clarity to...
WestJet, ITAC Roll Out Much Needed Support
Nine Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada are receiving grants of $10,000 as part of a strategic partnership between WestJet and the Indigenous Toursim Association of Canada (ITAC). For the nine businesses, the grants come at a time when the Indigenous tourism industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were originally earmarked through the WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership, signed in November 2019, and the 2020/2021 grant recipients include: Feast Café Bistro: Winnipeg, Manitoba Moonstone Creation: Calgary, Alberta Talaysay Tours:...
ATPCO Announces Two Executive Appointments
ATPCO has added two new executives to its leadership team, with Ellen Lee joining as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Maya Bordeaux as Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO). Both Lee and Bordeaux will bring fresh perspectives and decades of experience spanning multiple industry sectors to ATPCO and will help shape and drive the company’s ongoing transformation following the recent appointment of Alex Zoghlin as President and CEO. Alongside other senior leadership at ATPCO, both Bordeaux and Lee will be focused on executing Zoghlin’s vision of modernizing and...
When Borders Reopen, Good Things Will Follow
If you were wondering what the long-term holds for air transportation, a new forecast released by IATA and Tourism Economics demonstrates that post-COVID-19, people will be eager to travel in both the short-term and the long-term. In unveiling the details, IATA points out that in order to ensure that aviation can sustainably deliver its social and economic benefits as it meets this long-term demand, it is critical that governments step-up their support for more efficient operations and foster an effective energy transition. Highlights of the IATA/Tourism Economics forecast...