Airlines
WestJet Suspending Transborder, International Flights For 30 Days
WestJet has announced that it will be suspending “scheduled commercial operations” of all its international and transborder flights for a 30-day period as of Sun., March 22, 2020 at 11:59 pm MDT. In a statement on its website, the carrier's president and CEO, Ed Sims wrote: “Today, Prime Minister Trudeau made an explicit declaration to all Canadians abroad that it is time to come home. Based on this statement and the recommendations to Canadians to control the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, we have made impactful decisions related to our operations.” Sims advised...
Prime Minister Asks Canadians To Stay Home
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, himself in self-isolation after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for COVID-19, told Canadians that the government is recommending that they cancel or postpone all international travel in order to protect themselves, their families and to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Before the Prime Minister spoke, senior members of his government updated Canadians on new measures the government was implementing. Transport minister, Marc Garneau announced that cruise ships and ferries carrying more than 500 people (including crew) will not be allowed to...
COVID-19 Update: Transat, Tianguis, Sunwing and More
Transat Waives Change Fees on Existing Bookings Transat is offering its passengers the flexibility to amend existing bookings without charge. This policy applies to all flights and packages booked before March 4 for travel by April 30. As such, all customers who have booked a flight or package to any destination offered by Transat for travel by April 30 can change their travel dates, hotel or destination – or all three – once at no charge towards travel completed by Dec. 31, 2020. Customers who wish to cancel their reservation can use the credit towards subsequent travel...
Going Global
When asked what misconceptions travellers have about WestJet, Chuck Crowder, Vice President of Sales & Distribution, points to the lingering image of its past as the airline takes off on a transformation towards being a premium global carrier, writes managing editor, Ann Ruppenstein in this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press. “We’ve just embarked on our journey to become a global carrier and that’s really building up our three hubs of Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver and rebranding ourselves to this premium carrier,” he told Canadian Travel Press. “I think some people...
Flair Airlines’ Appointment
Flair Airlines has appointed John Mullins, vice-president of Customer Experience and Airports. Mullins has more than 30 years of senior leadership and advisory experience from Gulf Carriers and Canada 3000 Airlines. Specializing in designing and implementing superior guest services and airport strategies, Mullins will lead the Flair team to higher levels of customer satisfaction while remaining rooted in safety, reliability, and efficiency. As a primary mandate, Mullins will first end seat reclining on all flights by this summer. Flair has been experimenting over the past two months...
Air Canada Suspends Italy Service Until May 1
Following changes in Italian government regulations that pretty much lock down the country – as well as ongoing health and safety concerns – Air Canada has suspended service between Canada and Italy 11. A spokesperson for Air Canada told PressToday that, “Our last flight to Rome will depart Toronto on the evening of March 10 and the last flight returning from Rome will be March 11 to Montreal. We continue to monitor this situation and evaluate conditions prior to resuming service. We currently plan to restart service May 1.” Air Canada’s service to Italy consisted of...
AC to Launch Vancouver, Orange County Service
Air Canada will launch non-stop service between Vancouver and Santa Ana in Orange County, California beginning June 15, subject to final airport authority approvals. Special introductory fares from Vancouver to Orange County start at $187 one-way, all in. Tickets are now available for purchase until March 17 for travel between June 15 and Sept. 30. “We are very pleased to announce new daily, year-round flights from Vancouver to Orange County as we strategically expand our transborder network into the populous greater Los Angeles area,” said Mark Galardo, vice-president, Network...
Air Canada Salutes Women in Aviation
Air Canada marked Women of Aviation Worldwide Week leading up to International Women's Day 2020 by celebrating the achievements of its women employees while also looking ahead to the next generation of women aviators as it announced four admirable winners of the inaugural Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship. The winners of the inaugural Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, awarded in partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, each receive $5,000 toward their studies in aviation. Additionally, for the fifth consecutive year, Air Canada featured a flight operated with all female...