Airlines
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...
Time To Talk Best Practices
IATA has made it clear that it supports unrestricted access to travel for people who have been vaccinated and it is applauding countries that are “making data and evidence-driven decisions” to allow them to open their borders to vaccinated travellers. The global airline industry association notes that the latest data that it has collected – including its Timatic service – indicates that over 20 countries have either wholly or partially lifted restrictions for vaccinated travellers. And it IATA states that in cases where vaccination is not possible, access to quarantine-free...
We Need A Plan Now: NACC
Following the European Union Council’s announcement that it will recommend that restrictions on travel be adjusted, including enabling fully vaccinated travellers to enter the EU, Canada’s major air carriers are repeating their call for the federal government to move forward with the development of a clear re-start plan for aviation and the treatment of vaccinated passengers. Mike McNaney, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, said that the “announcement in Europe demonstrates that the EU continues to take a science-based approach to the development of its...
Sunwing Offering More Options From Hamilton
For those living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Sunwing has announced that it is returning to John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport for the 2021-2022 winter season. Flights begin at the start of December 2021 and will operate until mid-April 2022, serving Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Varadero, Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria. Andrew Dawson, president of tour operations for Sunwing, said: “We are excited to be resuming operations from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. The airport offers residents of Hamilton and the surrounding GTHA with...