Airlines
CDC Says Fully Vaccinated Can Travel
The US Centers for Disease Control has updated its travel advice, indicating that fully vaccinated people can resume domestic travel and do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. Updated on April 2, 2021, the CDC also indicates that fully vaccinated people do not need to get tested before leaving the United States (unless required by the destination) or self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States. And while the CDC has updated its travel advice, it continues to discourage non-essential travel. Reacting to the CDC announcement,...
Fundamental Changes In The Air
Accelya has released 'Airlines: A Path Back to Profitability’ – an objective, research-based assessment and report of commerce and retailing challenges and opportunities facing airlines today. The report provides insights on the views of airline leaders and makes recommendations that airlines can use to navigate the way to business recovery. The new report is the culmination of a study conducted by Atmosphere Research Group for the Air Transformation Lab, which Accelya launched in September 2020 to explore the current state of airline commerce and uncover perspectives on a...
Air Canada, Transat Deal Is Off
Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. ("Transat") have mutually agreed to terminate the Arrangement Agreement for the proposed acquisition of Transat by Air Canada. Air Canada and Transat had originally agreed in June 2019 on the acquisition, the terms of which were subsequently amended in August 2019 and then revised in October 2020 as a result of the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As previously disclosed, the acquisition was conditional on the approval of various regulatory authorities, including the European Commission ("EC"). In order to meet that key condition,...
Walsh Takes Over As IATA’s DG
It’s official. Willie Walsh is the new Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) succeeding Alexandre de Juniac. Commenting on his new role, Walsh said: “I am passionate about our industry and about the critical work that IATA does on behalf of its members, never more so than during the COVID-19 crisis. IATA has been at the forefront of efforts to restart global connectivity, including developing the IATA Travel Pass. Less visible but of equal importance, airlines continue to rely on IATA’s financial settlement systems, Timatic and other vital...
Carriers Taking Off To USVI
The U.S. Virgin Islands are gearing up to welcome more airlift this summer. Following a meeting with American Airlines in Dallas, Texas on Friday, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte announced that the nation’s largest carrier will expand its service to the Territory to meet increased demand for summertime travel. Beginning on June 3, 2021, passengers in Dallas or connecting from Western and Midwestern cities will have not one but two daily flights from which to choose when traveling to St. Thomas, while Charlotte, North Carolina-based travelers will benefit...
Swoop Gears Up For Summer
Swoop is expanding its summer schedule, adding new routes and more ultra-low fares to British Columbia. The airline's expanded summer operations will bring new service to Victoria and celebrates the return and addition of new routes from Kelowna. Charles Duncan, President of Swoop, said: “Our summer schedule expansion is in response to strong advance sales and in anticipation of demand from Canada's most price-conscious travellers as they look towards the accelerated pace of vaccine rollouts across the country.” Duncan added: “We are thrilled to be offering Canadians even...
Wrestling With The Issues
Those eager to kickstart this country's tourist trade must do more than convince potential tourists that it's once again safe to hit the road, a March 30 TIAC webinar was told. Joe Naaman of consulting firm Twenty31 wondered how those in tourism can “unscare” people who may be nervous that it's safe to again explore this country but also cautioned that those who do vacation in Canada must be received well on their vacations. Those in the hospitality trade must “make sure people (in hosting communities) are enthusiastic about tourism and are welcoming to visitors,” he...
Loyalty Is A Two-Way Street
Air Canada is updating Aeroplan Elite Status members to let them know that it is ensuring their status remains in effect and to give them flexibility and certainty. The changes include the extension of current Elite Status until the end of 2022, in addition to a previous extension through 2021, as well as the possibility to accelerate their status qualification in the years ahead. Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President, Products, Marketing and eCommerce at Air Canada, said that: “Loyalty is a two-way street, and we understand and appreciate why so many of your travel plans are interrupted...