Airlines
Sunwing Celebrates International Women’s Day
Sunwing is gearing up to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8, 2020.) The carrier operated its 100th flight crewed entirely by women on March 2. Sunwing Airlines flight WG438 took off from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Punta Cana International Airport helmed by an all-female flight and cabin crew. The flight was piloted by Captain Vicky Marks from Sunwing’s Quebec City base, assisted by First Officer Nicola Godfrey from Sunwing’s Toronto base. The cabin crew was led by Cabin Safety Manager Tiziana Di Giuliantonio and included three female flight attendants...
Air New Zealand to Put Economy Travellers to Sleep
Air New Zealand has unveiled a ground-breaking new lie-flat prototype sleep product for economy class travellers. The Economy Skynest is the result of three years of Air New Zealand research and development, with the input of more than 200 customers at its Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland. The airline has filed patent and trademark applications for the Economy Skynest which provides six full length lie-flat sleep pods. Air New Zealand chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod says that as the airline operates some of the world’s longest flights, such as the upcoming...
Sunwing Finalizes Summer Sked Without MAX 8
Sunwing has revised the coming 2020 summer season to operate without the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The new schedule, which will run until Oct. 31, has been reconfigured ahead of time to accommodate the non-availability of this aircraft type. While the move has been prompted by the continued worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, the company explained that being able to offer an excellent customer experience and provide clients with much-needed reassurance while planning their vacation were equally important factors in the decision. Andrew Dawson, president of Tour Operations for...
Air Canada Suspends China Flights Through April 10
Air Canada is extending the suspension of its flights between Canada and Beijing and Shanghai until April 10. Services to Beijing and Shanghai were initially suspended for the month of February following the Government of Canada's January 29 advisory discouraging non-essential travel to China. Air Canada says it will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada and Global Affairs and will adjust its schedule as appropriate. Air Canada operates direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Toronto,...
You Have To Vote If You Want To Win
How would you like to win a trip to New Orleans or a round-trip flight? What about a $250 Visa gift card, vacation to Italy, or European river cruise? If you want to win one of these five fantastic prizes, then you'll have to vote! Baxter Media invites Canadian travel agents to vote for their favourite suppliers, destinations, services, and brands in the 21st annual Agents' Choice Readership Survey, Canada's original, most authoritative and most popular travel industry poll. Last year, more than 6500 Canadian travel agents cast their votes. Every agent who votes will then be entered...
Swoop Appointment
Swoop has appointed Bert van der Stege head of commercial. With more than 20 years of international aviation experience, van der Stege brings a wealth of knowledge, most recently from his position as vice-president and chief commercial officer at the Halifax International Airport Authority. In his new role, he will oversee Swoop's Network and Planning, Pricing and Revenue, Distribution and Sales, and Marketing with a focus on helping the airline drive revenue and growth. He will join Swoop's executive team and report directly to Steven Greenway. Having studied in a variety of...
Transat Unveils Enhanced Summer Lineup for Ontario
Air Transat has unveiled its 2020 summer flight program for Ontario, featuring 95 direct flights a week from Toronto to Europe, the South and the United States – and a new direct flight to Faro, Portugal. Air Transat’s new program features 14 weekly flights to London (England), up from nine flights a week in summer 2019. There will be five direct flights a week to Manchester (England), Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland) and Paris (France). Options will also abound for Italy, with seven direct flights a week to Rome, two to Venice and one to Lamezia. Travellers will find eight...
COVID-19 Cuts Demand, Revenues
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that its initial assessment of the impact of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak (COVID-19) shows a potential 13% full-year loss of passenger demand for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region. Considering that growth for the region’s airlines was forecast to be 4.8%, the net impact will be an 8.2% full-year contraction compared to 2019 demand levels. In this scenario, that would translate into a $27.8 billion revenue loss in 2020 for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region – the bulk of which would be borne by carriers registered...