Airlines
Air Canada Gradually Suspends Flights
Air Canada is gradually suspending the majority of its international and US transborder flights by March 31. The move comes in response to decisions by national governments, including Canada and the United States, to close borders and restrict commercial aviation as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Subject to further government restrictions, the airline intends to continue to serve a small number of international and U.S. trans-border destinations from select Canadian cities after April 1. The airline also intends to continue serving all provinces and territories with a significantly...
Porter Pauses Operations Starting Tomorrow
Porter Airlines is temporarily suspending all flights at the close of operations on Friday (March 20), with plans to resume service on June 1. The decision is being made in support of ongoing public health efforts to contain COVID-19. Michael Deluce, Porter’s president and CEO said, “COVID-19 is having an unprecedented effect on people around the world and Porter is determined to do our part to support the efforts of the Canadian, US and global authorities in their responses. Restricting activities by people in all communities is what’s required to keep our team members and...
Sunwing Focused on Repatriation
On Tuesday, Sunwing announced that it was shifting its efforts to focus solely on repatriating customers who are currently in destination. As a result, the carrier has temporarily suspended all southbound flights from March 17 until April 9 to concentrate resources on returning customers home safely. The first rescue flights departed on Tuesday, March 17, repatriating over 500 Canadians from countries that had announced closures of their borders. By the end of today, over 11,000 customers will be brought home to Canada. The travel company is committed to ensuring all its...
FLYGTA Ready To Help With Relief Flights
FLYGTA is ready to help Canadians return home during the COVID -19 pandemic and increasing border closures by the Government of Canada. The airline's team and private jets are available to bring back stranded passengers from the U.S, Caribbean and other Canadian locations, mostly affected by escalating flight cancellations. Chris Nowrouzi, CEO of FLYGTA, said: “We encourage other air operators to follow suit at this time of crisis and need”, says. “This is a time where we all must come together and help Canadians. Passengers should expect to be screened for any symptoms prior...
Transat Suspending Flights
Transat A.T. Inc. will be gradually suspending Air Transat flights until April 30. The company said that its decision follows the Canadian government's announcement that the country is closing its borders to foreign nationals, as well as similar decisions by several other countries where Transat operates. Sales for departures until April 30 are suspended immediately to and from destinations in Europe and the United States. Flights will continue for a few more days in order to repatriate Transat customers to their home country. To allow as many repatriations as possible, sales...
COVID-19 UPDATE: Flair, Sunswept, Brussels Airlines
Sunswept Resorts is advising that its BodyHoliday and Rendezvous Resorts will temporarily close effective March 20 until May 31; planning to re-open on June 1. Rebecca Platt, director of sales & marketing, advises that: “With this in mind, and in order to make the process as seamless as possible for our mutually valuable guests, we will offer a 12 month credit to rebook their stay with us or alternatively if this is not possible, issue a full refund without penalty.” Platt continues: “We also understand these are uncertain times so will also be allowing future guests with...
Sunwing Shifts Focus To Bringing Canadians Home
As part of the ongoing efforts to protect our employees and customers and keep Canadians safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunwing is cancelling all southbound flights from March 17 until April 9, 2020 and focusing on repatriating customers in destination. Stephen Hunter, president and CEO, Sunwing Travel Group, said: “The health and well-being of our customers and our employees is our highest priority and we are working around the clock to keep them safe. It’s important that we do our part to contain the spread of COVID-19, while assuring our customers and their families that...
Air Canada Has A Plan
Air Canada offered an update on its response to COVID-19, noting that like the rest of the global airline industry, it is facing a severe drop in traffic and a corresponding decline in revenue as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and travel restrictions imposed in many countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. And although the company expects this disruption to be temporary, as the full impact and duration of the outbreak is unknown, Air Canada is withdrawing its previously announced first quarter and full year 2020 guidance as well as its full...