Airlines
Optimistic Outlook For 2020
According to ForwardKeys, growth in international air travel – as measured by passenger journeys – grew by 4.5% in 2019. That's ahead of global economic growth, but it is significantly slower growth than last year, 6.0%; and it is slower than the trend over the last decade, which averages 6.8% per annum. However, ForwardKeys' latest data indicates that the outlook for the coming three months is considerably more optimistic, with international flight bookings, as of Jan. 1, 2020 standing 8.3% ahead of where they were at the start of 2019. Olivier Ponti, VP Insights,...
Swoop Tops Two Million Mark
Swoop reports that it has now carried two million travellers since its first flight took off in June 2018. To mark the milestone, Swoop presented an unsuspecting guest with a round-trip flight to anywhere Swoop flies. The lucky traveller, Travis Pickering, was surprised by Swoop on-board a flight from Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to McCarran International Airport with his wife and two children. Shane Workman, head of flight operations for Swoop, said: “Reaching this milestone of having flown two million travellers in this short timeframe affirms the need for Canadians to...
Breaking The Invisible Ceiling
IATA has launched a new initiative designed to result in more women piloting airplanes, more men serving in the passenger cabin and more women making key decisions at the executive level, reports Quebec editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Dubbed 25by2025, the initiative was first mooted last September as a collective effort to bridge the gender gap in several areas but principally at the senior level, both in the industry and within IATA itself. Jane Hoskisson, the association’s director of learning and development told a recent Geneva press...
SAA Signs Up To Protect Wildlife
South African Airways (SAA) has joined the fight against the illegal trade in wildlife through the Illegal Wildlife Trade module of the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Program. IEnvA is a comprehensive environmental management system that SAA uses to ensure that the airline is as environmentally sustainable as possible. IEnvA is an equivalent of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), but for the environment rather than safety. SAA is audited, much like IOSA, and certified as IEnvA compliant. SAA attained IEnvA Stage 2 certification in March 2015. SAA was audited during the...
Etihad, Kuwait Sign Codeshare Deal
Etihad Airways and Kuwait Airways have signed a codeshare partnership on selected services on bookings that took effect on Dec. 22, 2019, for travel from Jan. 5, 2020. Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on Kuwait Airways operated flights from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, Najaf and Dhaka. In turn, Kuwait Airways will place its ‘KU’ code on Etihad flights from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, Belgrade, Casablanca, Rabat, Khartoum, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Male in the Maldives, and Mahe in the Seychelles. Tony Douglas, group chief executive officer, Etihad...
Sunwing Takes Off To Grand Cayman
Sunwing has announced the addition of a seasonal flight service to the island of Grand Cayman for the very first time. Direct flights from Toronto will operate on Sundays from Feb. 2, 2020 until May 3, 2020, inclusive. The largest of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman is home to breathtaking white-sand beaches, picturesque tropical landscapes and a gourmet culinary scene. Vacationers can spend their days soaking up the sun on the shores of Seven Mile Beach, snorkelling or scuba diving among colourful coral reefs and indulging in world-class dishes at five-star...
SAT, United Celebrate New Cape Town Service
South African Tourism (SAT) in partnership with United Airlines recently celebrated the new direct service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. United will be the only carrier to serve the route from United States and began operating nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town on Dec. 15. To mark the inauguration of flights, a celebration was held at Newark Liberty International Airport and it featured traditional South African dancers from Bongi Duma Productions, along with hors d’oeuvres, wine and music. Special guests in...
AC Inaugurates Montreal-São Paulo Service
Air Canada has inaugurated the only non-stop service between Montreal and São Paulo, Brazil, marking the beginning of three weekly flights from Montreal until March 27. “We are very pleased to celebrate the historic start of non-stop service between Montreal and Brazil, marked by the launch of our newest international flight to São Paulo. Complementing our Toronto services, our new flights from Montreal provide another convenient link to Brazil's largest city and financial centre while offering a great opportunity for Brazilians to enjoy an exceptional Quebec winter vacation,”...