Airlines
Porter Restart Set For August 31
In light of ongoing government travel restrictions, Porter Airlines has modified its return-to-service date. The carrier’s new restart date is now Aug. 31, instead of the previously-announced target of July 29. Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines, said that: “Our ability to successfully relaunch service is directly tied to the lifting of travel restrictions. We believe it is getting closer to a time when people can travel more freely and are optimistic that key border closures and mandatory quarantines will begin easing, so that we can recommence...
Health Measures Enhanced With Transat’s Traveller Care
As it prepares to gradually resume operations on July 23, 2020, Transat is committed to providing a simple and safe travel experience at every step. To that end, the company is inviting travellers to familiarize themselves with the health and safety measures of its Traveller Care program, which are regularly updated in compliance with recommendations issued by regulatory authorities. It has also assembled a new comprehensive practical guide full of tips to help travellers prepare for their trips and travel with peace of mind. Annick Guérard, chief operating officer of Transat,...
WestJet Makes Changes For Future
WestJet is advising that it is consolidating its call centre activity in Alberta, contracting out airport operations in all domestic airports outside of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, and strategically restructuring its office and management staff. The company said that the moves are aimed at streamlining WestJet for a competitive future following the COVID-19 crisis. Ed Sims, president and CEO of WestJet, said: “Throughout the course of the biggest crisis in the history of aviation, WestJet has made many difficult, but essential, decisions to...
IATA Urges Governments To Avoid Quarantines
IATA is urging governments to avoid quarantine measures when re-opening their economies. Instead of such measures, the airline industry association is promoting a layered approach of measures to reduce the risk of countries importing COVID-19 via air travel and to mitigate the possibility of transmission in cases where people may travel while unknowingly being infected. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, explained that: “Imposing quarantine measures on arriving travellers keeps countries in isolation and the travel and tourism sector in lockdown. Fortunately,...
Let’s Talk About Racism In The Travel Industry
Shalene Dudley can list off too many examples of the times she’s experienced racial discrimination while travelling — like being completely ignored in the check-in line for priority seating for flights or having to provide additional ID to prove her business platinum AMEX truly belongs to her. “A DMC representative in Cancun that I pre-arranged my transfer with, refused to believe that my final destination was the luxury five-star I showed him documentation for. I waited for over an hour until they received a phone confirmation. Even after this, he insisted that I must be a...
Air Canada Completes Financing Transactions
Air Canada said that it recently closed two additional financing transactions for net proceeds of $1.23 billion. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, Air Canada has raised $5.5 billion of liquidity. On June 22, 2020, Air Canada completed a private offering of $840 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Second Lien Secured Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes"), which were sold at 98% of par. The 2024 Notes are secured obligations of Air Canada, secured on a second lien basis by certain real estate interests, ground service equipment, certain...
Air Canada, Aeroplan Members Celebrate
Air Canada is kicking off summer by offering a broad selection of entertainment content free to Aeroplan members in Canada. The carrier is making over 200 titles, including films, shorts and other video from its Canadian partners, available for streaming at no charge until July 22. Andrew Shibata, managing director of brand at Air Canada, said that: “With summer’s arrival, together with respected Canadian cultural partners, we are making a selection of acclaimed entertainment available at home through streaming to all Aeroplan members based in Canada. Through the great content...
Staying Healthy At Toronto Pearson
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) -- which operates and maintains Toronto Pearson – has launched its "Healthy Airport" commitment, a comprehensive program that outlines the steps the airport and its partners are taking to be ready for the new realities of air travel, and to lead the aviation industry in advancing the future of healthy travel corridors. In announcing the new program, the GTAA indicated that the initiative also includes a strategic partnership with BlueDot, a leader in advanced data analytics and technologies to predict and monitor infectious disease...