Airlines
JetBlue Landing In Vancouver In 2022
JetBlue is coming to Canada for the first time ever, beginning in the summer of 2022. Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue, said: “Almost since day one, both our customers and crew members have been asking us to add flights to the middle of the country and into Canada.” Laurence continued: “We can’t wait to shake up the status quo in these markets currently dominated by high-fare carriers, and we look forward to introducing new customers to JetBlue favourites like live seat-back TV, free Wi-Fi, the most legroom in coach and great service from our friendly...
GBTA Supports 2021 Budget
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) said that it supports this week’s federal budget that directs over $800 million to increase safety and improve facilitation for all travellers coming to Canada, or travelling within, for business or leisure as part of its plan for a post-pandemic recovery. The GBTA said that this confirms that the federal government recognizes the critical role that air travel plays in facilitating trade and commerce, not only between countries but between Canadians from coast to coast. Nancy Tudorache, Regional Vice President Canada of the GBTA, said...
Sunwing Set To Take Off From Thunder Bay
For the 16th consecutive year, Sunwing will be back offering vacation packages to Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic from Thunder Bay in 2021. Flights begin in December 2021 and will run weekly until the middle of April 2022. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, said: “Supporting regional airports and providing Canadians across the country with more convenient ways to head to the tropics has always been important to us here at Sunwing.” Dawson continued: “Our seasonal flight service from Thunder Bay has been consistently popular over the years and...
Budget 2021: Industry Welcomes Support But More Will Be Needed
For the travel trade, let’s call the first federal budget in two years a further reprieve. The industry asked for the extension of a number of key support programs like the wage and rent subsidy and the lockdown support programs and all of them are being extended until Sept. 25, 2021. However, the budget papers state that the government will “gradually decrease the subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the program as vaccinations are completed and the economy reopens.” Not surprisingly, ACTA’s initial response indicated that it...
NACC: Budget Takes Positive Steps, But Work Remains
While the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) welcomed measures supporting aviation and the travel and tourism sector in today’s federal budget, it also cautioned that much work still remains to address the devastating impact of COVID-19. Mike McNaney, president and CEO of the NACC, said: “As the government has repeatedly stated, a healthy aviation sector is critical to our economy and our overall recovery from the pandemic.” He pointed out: “Today’s Budget has taken steps to assist the sector during the immediate crisis. But more work is required, in particular the...
Air Canada, ACV Brief Trade On Refunds, Commissions
Following the news that a long awaited deal between Air Canada and the Canadian government had been reached, the airline and Air Canada Vacations executives held a virtual travel trade town hall yesterday (April 13). Lucie Guillemette, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer — and the newly announced President of Air Canada Vacations — kicked off the meeting outlining several key takeaways for travel advisors. Notably, the scope of refunds also applies to customers who voluntarily chose to cancel non refundable tickets, not just flights cancelled by Air...
WestJet Suspends Mexico, Caribbean Flights To June 4
WestJet is extending its temporary suspension of its international sun flights to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean to June 4, 2021. Ed Sims, WestJet president and CEO, said: “We are extending our suspension with the clear expectation that as more Canadians are vaccinated, government policy will transition.” Sims stated: “We continue to advocate for the replacement of mandatory hotel quarantines with a testing regime that is equitable and consistent with global standards at all points of entry into our country. Alongside an accelerated and successful vaccine rollout,...
TPI Welcomes New AC, Government Deal
Following the announcement this week on the agreement between Air Canada and the Canadian government, TPI is in the mood for celebration. TPI CEO, Zeina Gedeon observed: “It’s been a long haul. It’s been a time of angst and frustration for travel advisors and agency groups over the past 14 months, and the recent announcement from the government and Air Canada regarding their enhanced policy for refunds has allowed our advisors to breathe a little bit, knowing that their clients can receive their anticipated refunds and the advisors can retain their hard-earned...