Airlines
AC Finalizing COVID-19 Rapid Testing Kit Order
Air Canada is finalizing an initial order of Abbott's ID NOW COVID-19 rapid response tests as part of its ongoing evaluation of COVID-19 testing technology and protocols. The airline, which last month partnered with McMaster Health Labs (MHL) and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) in a study of arriving international travellers at Toronto-Pearson, said preliminary results from the study indicate testing can help protect customers and facilitate the safe relaxation of government travel restrictions. Dr. Jim Chung, Air Canada's chief medical officer, said: “Air Canada...
Air Transport Committed To A Green Recovery
Despite the current crisis facing the global aviation industry, its commitment to pursuing sustainability remains strong, particularly as the sector starts to recover. During the Global Sustainable Aviation Forum, industry leaders reiterated that long-term climate action should be a priority alongside economic recovery in the coming years. Executive Director of the cross-industry Air Transport Action Group, Michael Gill said: “Air transport is in the midst of the deepest shock in its history. We expect a reduction of up to 4.8 million jobs in the sector by the end of the year and a...
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...