Airlines
Hawaii Eases Restrictions For Canadians
This country's two largest airlines were quick to welcome Thursday's announcement by Hawaii that Canadians visiting the jurisdiction will no longer have to automatically self-quarantine for two weeks upon arriving in the jurisdiction. State authorities have decided that they will allow Canadians to enter without quarantining if they can demonstrate they have tested negative for coronavirus 72 hours before arriving in the destination, an alternative to the two-week quarantine that the aviation industry says has been hugely damaging to international travel. Both Air Canada and...
A Touchless Experience
Star Alliance has completed development of an interoperable biometric identity and identification platform that will significantly improve the travel experience for frequent flyer program customers of Star Alliance member airlines. The Star Alliance Biometrics platform advances the vision of Star Alliance member airlines of delivering a seamless customer journey, while strengthening loyalty value proposition within its travel ecosystem. Lufthansa Group (LHG) airlines, Lufthansa -- a founding member of Star Alliance -- and SWISS will be the first to use Star Alliance...
Hope, Resilience, Optimism
Air Canada is unwrapping the Gift of Travel -- an integrated initiative that celebrates the actions of community heroes making a memorable impact when helping their fellow Canadians during COVID-19, raising funds and Aeroplan points for charitable organizations in Canada, and offering customers aspiring to travel a new flexible travel pass product. Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, executive vice president, chief human resources and communications officer at Air Canada, said: “Canadians from across the country have shown remarkable resilience, solidarity and generosity in the face of COVID-19...
Test And Release Quarantine Approach Supported
McMaster Health Labs (MHL) has released its Canadian International COVID-19 Surveillance Border Study interim report, which was conducted with support from the government of Canada and in partnership with Air Canada and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). Independent analysis of the Border Study's interim results has been conducted by the study team; additional analysis and full results are expected to be shared in January 2021. The MHL study was established to gather data on COVID-19 infection rates of incoming international travellers, to help determine if an...
A Little Holiday Heat From WestJet
WestJet has released its updated December schedule featuring up to 55 daily flights to sun destinations in the Caribbean, the United States (including Hawaii) and Mexico. The schedule also highlights increased domestic frequencies for travel starting Dec. 5, 2020 through to Jan. 4, 2021. Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer for WestJet, said that: “While this winter travel season looks quite different from years past, we are pleased to be able to offer our guests a variety of flights during the holidays.” He continued: “Whatever the reason for travel,...
Preparing For Vaccine Distribution
IATA has released guidance to ensure that the air cargo industry is ready to support the large-scale handling, transport and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. IATA’s Guidance for Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Logistics and Distribution provides recommendations for governments and the logistics supply chain in preparation for what will be the largest and most complex global logistics operation ever undertaken. The airline industry association’s release came as Moderna announced that late stage clinical trials of its vaccine indicated an effectiveness rate of over 90% and it joins...
Give The Gift Of Travel With Air Canada
Between now and Dec. 1, Air Canada has a new flight pass option. Called the “Gift of Travel Flight Pass,” it offers travel to one of six geographic zones (Canada, US, South America, Europe, Asia, or Sun) anytime between now and April 2022, with the utmost flexibility. The Gift of Travel Flight Pass is special in how it works: It can be given as a gift to any Aeroplan member (If they’re not already a member, they just need to sign up prior to booking travel). The giver only chooses the travel zone. The recipient can choose the specific destination from anywhere Air...
Hong Kong, Singapore Launch Air Bubble
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are launching the the Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble (ATB), ahead of the departure of the first flights on Nov. 22, 2020. The Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble – a bilateral, all-purpose and quarantine-free arrangement – is a milestone for the global tourism industry, and paves the way for a safe resumption of international travel. The partnership between the HKTB and the STB is also the first between the two tourism boards; demonstrating the close ties between the two destinations as well as a...