Airlines
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...
Transat Takes All Of TraficTours
Transat A.T. Inc. – the 70% shareholder of TraficTours Canada Inc. -- has now acquired the 30% minority interest in the incoming tour operator held by the minority shareholder, following a mutual agreement between the two parties. The purchase price is for an amount lower than the amount booked in Transat's financial statements on account of the option to purchase such minority interest. The minority shareholder had the option to require Transat to purchase the minority interest since 2019. The manager of TraficTours and its subsidiaries remains in place to ensure the operations...
Competitiveness at Risk
Aviation and business leaders are making it clear that without a strong federal commitment to a comprehensive aviation recovery plan, both the air sector and Canada’s overall competitiveness face considerable risk. During a late May forum that looked at post-COVID air connectivity and passenger costs, participants emphasized the importance of the air transportation industry in this country, facilitating, as it does, the movement of people and cargo, and is a catalyst for other industries such as tourism. Currently, the sector accounts for 256,000 direct jobs and contributes $23.4...
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...