Airlines
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...
Canada Closing Its Borders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians that Canada was closing its borders to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of this country. The only exception to the new rules were for diplomats, flight crews and US citizens. Airlines will now also be able to bar any passenger exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 from their flights and air operators will be required to do passenger assessments under the guidance of public health authorities. And, international flights will now only be handled through four Canadian airports – Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver...
IATA Applauds EU Suspension Of Slot Rules
IATA is welcoming the announcement by the European Commission (EC) granting the temporary suspension until June 2020 of the 80-20 “use it or lose it” rule for airport slots. The decision reflects the unprecedented situation facing the airline industry. However, granting the suspension only until June is the very minimum the industry needs, and a decision on a full suspension until October will be needed within the next month to allow airlines to plan their schedules. In a statement, IATA made it clear that the COVID-19 virus has caused a collapse in global air travel demand....
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...