Airlines
Stuck At Stage Zero
Canada’s airlines are definitely not pleased with yesterday’s (Nov 30, 2020) Fall Economic Statement delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. In a statement, the National Airlines Council of Canada’s (NACC) president and CEO Mike McNaney pointed out that: “As the government has stated on previous occasions over the past several months and repeated in the Economic Statement today, it is still working on establishing a process with major airlines regarding financial assistance.” McNaney continues: “Thus, while other countries around the...
Air Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart Team Up On Testing
Air Canada is teaming up with Shoppers Drug Mart to provide Air Canada customers with the opportunity to take a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test in order to comply with international travel requirements. Beginning Dec. 7, eligible Air Canada customers can book and purchase a COVID-19 test at participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours. Dr. Jim Chung, Air Canada's chief medical officer, said: “Many countries now require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test and we are pleased to...
Canada Extends Its Travel Restrictions
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair and Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu announced that Canada is extending the Mandatory Isolation Order and temporary travel restrictions for all travellers seeking entry into Canada from a country other than the US, until Jan. 21, 2021. Travel restrictions for US citizens and foreign nationals arriving from the US remain in place until Dec. 21, 2020 and may be extended at that time. Minister Blair commented: “Protecting the health and safety of Canadians is my most important responsibility. We have introduced a...
Something Special From Emirates
Emirates is preparing for clear skies with its annual Black Friday sale. From Nov. 26 to Nov. 30, the airline is giving Canadians the deals and rebooking flexibility they need to take them one step closer to their dreams. Whether it’s planning for a trip in a month or a year from now, Canadians can plan their next adventure and enjoy the Emirates in-flight experience of luxury and comfort for less, with discounted rates on economy and business flights, starting as low as CDN$969. Emirates' booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers...
Reaching The Summit
In his keynote address to the virtual audience at ACTA’s Travel Industry Summit held in mid-November, G Adventures founder, Bruce Poon Tip said that COVID-19 has presented an opportunity for both the travel industry and the planet. Who would have thought we’d be where we are today, Poon Tip asked, noting that back in the spring, he never imagined that the industry would have been closed down for so long. And he pointed out that right now, the industry is under a lot of pressure because it simply is not clear “where we’re going.” However, he told his audience that G...
Air France Taking Off With Paris-Vancouver Flights
Air France will be offering two weekly flights between Vancouver and Paris from Dec. 14, 2020 to March 27, 2021. Passengers will be on board the Paris-Papeete flight which is temporarily stopping in Vancouver replacing Los Angeles as the route’s refueling stop. Catherine Guillemart-Dias, vice-president and general manager of Air France KLM Canada, said: “We are delighted to offer travellers who meet the criteria to enter France or any other of the world’s destinations we fly to, with this new option of doing so from Vancouver,” indicated She added “it also gives...
Connectivity Crisis
IATA has released new data that reveals that the COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on international connectivity, shaking up the rankings of the world’s most connected cities. London, the world’s number one most connected city in September 2019, has seen a 67% decline in connectivity. By September 2020, it had fallen to number eight. Shanghai is now the top ranked city for connectivity with the top four most connected cities all in China—Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. New York (-66% fall in connectivity), Tokyo (-65%), Bangkok (-81%), Hong Kong...
Americans Taking Off For Thanksgiving
According to research from ForwardKeys, Americans are planning a last-minute return to the skies this Thanksgiving, travelling to be with their families at home or taking a break in the sunshine or on the slopes. Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys observed that: “The COVID-19 crisis has decimated international air travel and badly damaged domestic air travel. In the past three weeks, we have seen the pace of bookings decelerate and that correlates with the third wave of the virus.” However, Ponti continued: “There are a couple of highly resilient periods, Christmas and...