Airlines
Downgraded Forecast, Dismal Summer
IATA has downgraded its traffic forecast for 2020 to reflect a weaker-than-expected recovery, as evidenced by a dismal end to the summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere. The airline industry association says that it now expects full-year 2020 traffic to be down 66% compared to 2019. The previous estimate was for a 63% decline. And it reports that August passenger demand continued to be hugely depressed against normal levels, with revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) down 75.3% compared to August 2019. This was only slightly improved compared to the 79.5% annual...
WestJet Adds U.S. Coverage To COVID-19 Insurance
Passengers travelling to, through or from the United States are now eligible for WestJet’s enhanced $200,000 CAD COVID-19 travel insurance coverage for air-only and vacation reservations. The enhanced coverage will retroactively include all bookings made as of Sept. 18, 2020 and will increase by CDN$100,000 to include up to a maximum of CDN$200,000 at no additional charge to eligible guests. Any WestJet air-only reservation including WestJet Vacations bookings for travel to and from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe (including U.K.) and inbound to Canada will be eligible...
Transat Includes COVID-19 Insurance For Flights, Packages
Transat, has announced that its customers will now be able to benefit from a COVID-19 Emergency Medical Certificate of Insurance. Offered through Manulife, this insurance plan is designed to cover emergency medical and quarantine expenses at destination, in addition to providing assistance if COVID-19 is contracted during the trip. Eligible customers who book a roundtrip flight from Canada to an international Air Transat destination or a Transat package to Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31, 2020, for stays of up to 21 days, for departures...
Sunwing, Medcan Partner To Support Program
Sunwing is partnering with Medcan -- a global healthcare leader providing medical expertise, consultation and health inspiration. Medcan will advise on the company’s Safe with Sunwing program related to COVID-19 throughout the entire vacation, in addition to providing ongoing support for customer and employee health and safety. As Sunwing resumes operations over the coming months, the tour operator will rely on information and expertise from the medical community’s most trusted advisors to help promote a safe and healthy return to travel for Canadians. Samantha Taylor, chief...
IATA Takes Its AGM Virtual
IATA’s 76th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place as a virtual event on Nov. 24, 2020 and will be hosted by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. All member airlines, invited industry partners/stakeholders and media will be able to participate virtually. IATA also announced that the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) that accompanies the AGM has been cancelled for 2020. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “The decision to cancel the in-person AGM has not been taken lightly and in no way is a reflection on the hospitality of...
Develop And Deploy
IATA is calling for the development and deployment of rapid, accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate, scalable and systematic COVID-19 testing for all passengers before departure as an alternative to quarantine measures in order to re-establish global air connectivity. The airline industry association indicated that it will work through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with health authorities to implement this solution quickly. In a statement, IATA noted that international travel is 92% down on 2019 levels. Over half a year has passed since global connectivity...
IHG, Emirates Skywards Partner For More Rewards
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Emirates Skywards and flydubai, have launched a limited time offer allowing IHG Rewards Club and Emirates Skywards members to earn triple Skywards Miles when booking a stay at any IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide. This exclusive, limited time offer allows guests to earn 6 Skywards Miles per USD $1 spent at Regent Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, Voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club...
Etihad Taking Care Of Its Passengers
Etihad Airways is introducing COVID-19 global wellness insurance cover as part of Etihad Wellness, the airline's new health and hygiene program. Guests who are diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they fly with Etihad. Duncan Bureau, senior vice president sales, and distribution, Etihad Airways, said: “The safety, health, and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our top priority, during and beyond the flight. The introduction of global COVID-19 insurance, in partnership with AXA, builds on stringent...