Airlines
The Double Whammy
The combination of personal economic worries and lingering concerns about the safety of travel will result in a slow recovery for air travel demand and IATA is calling on government around the world to help the industry restore consumer confidence. IATA’s director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac said that: “Passenger confidence will suffer a double whammy even after the pandemic is contained -- hit by personal economic concerns in the face of a looming recession on top of lingering concerns about the safety of travel. Governments and industry must be quick and coordinated with...
Air Canada Temporarily Suspending US Flights
Air Canada is suspending its scheduled service to the U.S. after April 26 as a result of the agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States to extend border restrictions by an additional 30 days, effective today. The carrier said it plans to resume service to the U.S. May 22, subject to any further government restrictions beyond that date. As a result, Air Canada is waiving change fees for affected customers with bookings during this period to enable them to reschedule their travel with no additional fee. Customers can find more information about Air...
What IATA Has To Say About Refunds
This week, TraveLaw Online tackles the thorny issue of refunds and the IATA rules that apply to them. Launched last week, TraveLaw Online features the legal expertise of cover Doug Crozier and Tim Law of Heifetz, Crozier, Law. At a time when the Canadian travel industry probably has more questions than answers, Press Today is giving its readers an opportunity to ask their legal questions and get some answers from the experts. So, if you have a question, you can contact Crozier or Law at [email protected] or connect with Bob Mowat at Canadian Travel Press/Baxter Media at...
Air Update — IATA, ITF Call For Support
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are calling for support from governments to the aviation industry, to protect jobs and ensure that air services can be maintained. The economic situation facing the aviation industry is severe. Air passenger demand is down 80%. Airlines are facing a liquidity crisis which threatens the viability of 25 million jobs directly and indirectly dependent upon aviation, including jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. In a joint statement, ITF and IATA called for governments...
COVID-19 Update: #TogetherinTravel, AC, Porter
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched a new marketing campaign, #TogetherInTravel, aimed at galvanizing the global travel and tourism community and showing how the sector is a vital part of our zest for life. The campaign encourages travellers from around the world to share the hashtag #TogetherInTravel along with a video simultaneously uniting everyone in solidarity at the same moment. The marketing campaign comprises three key elements: A highly visual and emotive video (https://we.tl/t-fn2UIxLe6N ). A hashtag, #TogetherInTravel, to stimulate the conversation across...
Emirates Making It Simple
Emirates has updated its COVID-19 travel waiver policies into one simplified approach for rebooking and refunds on tickets issued in all its global markets. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' chief commercial officer said: “The travel and airline industry have complicated rulebooks for how fares, re-bookings or refunds are applied, which also differ depending on market regulation. We understand that explaining and unravelling all of that is confusing and frustrating for customers. The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented for everyone, and we'd like to thank our customers and trade partners for...
An Update On Operations From Etihad
Etihad Airways is advising that subject to UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted on passenger travel, it plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1 to June 30, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/hQJvLOStz3A The carrier said that it is also continuing to operate a growing schedule of special passenger flights allowing foreign nationals in the UAE the opportunity to travel out of the country, and to carry essential belly-hold...
A Message From Sunwing’s Stephen Hunter
"In uncertain times, one thing is certain - our commitment to Canadians,” writes Sunwing Travel Group's CEO, Stephen Hunter to begin his message to the Canadian travel trade. Says Hunter: “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has created stress and uncertainty for all Canadians and we want to keep you informed about what we’re doing at this time to support our customers, employees and all other Canadians.” And he continues: “First and foremost, on behalf of Sunwing, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe. There’s no question that COVID-19 has hit the...