Airlines
Welcome To The Future
Electricity as a transportation energy source took another giant leap last week, as the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft was flight-tested in Richmond near Vancouver by float plane operator Harbour Air. The six-passenger de Havilland Beaver – its gas engine replaced by an electric motor – lifted off from the Fraser River “runway” near to Vancouver International Airport under the power of its one spinning propeller. The brief flight of the ePlane lasted for just a few minutes, but its successful completion marks a significant point of progress for Harbour Air and...
Kia Ora Auckland
Air Canada has launched seasonal service between Vancouver and Auckland, New Zealand, with flights operating four times weekly until the end of March 2020. Mark Galardo, vice-president, network planning at Air Canada, said: “We are excited to launch our newest South Pacific route to Auckland which offers additional opportunities for North Americans travelling to enjoy New Zealand's summer season, and for New Zealanders travelling for a Canadian winter vacation. Our Auckland flights are timed to conveniently connect at our extensive Vancouver trans-Pacific hub to and from a multitude...
WestJet Expands Its Agency Sales Team
WestJet is expanding its Agency Sales team, with four Business Development Managers and one Commercial Account Manager joining the WestJet family as of Dec. 9, 2019. Chuck Crowder, WestJet vice-president, sales and distribution, said of the appointments: “As WestJet grows globally and transforms into a network airline, we remain committed to supporting and building relationships with our valued travel trade partners.” Crowder continued: “Our partners will benefit from the breadth of airline and travel industry experience our new team members bring, and we know that our trusted...
Another Great Idea From Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has begun trialling edible coffee cups with customers in the air and on the ground as it explores new and innovative ways to meet its sustainability challenges. The airline currently serves more than eight million cups of coffee each year. Niki Chave, the carrier's senior manager customer experience, points out that while the airline’s current cups are compostable, the ultimate goal would be to remove these totally from landfills. Said Chave: “We’ve been working in partnership with innovative New Zealand company ‘twiice’ to explore the future of edible...
WestJet Adds Boston to Calgary Hub
WestJet is giving travellers a chance to pack more business and leisure into their travel itineraries with new seasonal daily non-stop service between the airline's home in Calgary and Boston, starting May 14. “Fantastic routes need fantastic schedules and WestJet is offering guests convenient flight times between our extensive hub out of Calgary and the capital of Massachusetts,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer. “While other carriers may fly the route, WestJet continues to build our schedule for the region's business and leisure travellers. It's...
SickKids Takes Off With Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines Canada continues to support the SickKids Foundation, donating over $50,000 in flights since 2017. Over the past two years the flight donations have supported the Centre for Global Child Health’s capacity-building projects in sub-Saharan Africa and the International Patient Program, both at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. The International Patient Program is funded in part by The Herbie Fund, which helps children around the world receive life-saving surgery and treatment at SickKids. Wendy Dempsey, associate director, cause marketing,...
Air Canada Celebrates The Spirit Of The Season
Air Canada welcomed between 150 to 200 of its VIP travel partners to its offices at 20 Queen St. W in downtown Toronto last night. It was a festive atmosphere as the top executives from the airline thanked its partners for their support and – of late – their patience as Air Canada works out a few kinks in its brand new Amadeus Altéa Suite Passenger Service System. In welcoming the crowd, Lisa Pierce, Air Canada's managing director, Canada & USA sals, noted that 2019 has been “an amazing year” and “we couldn't have done it without you.” EVP & Chief Commercial...
The Deal Is Done
Onex Corporation and its affiliated funds (the “Onex Group”) and WestJet Airlines Ltd. have announced that they have completed their transaction (the “Arrangement”) valued at approximately $5 billion including assumed debt. The closing comes following the receipt of the final regulatory approval by the Canadian Transportation Agency of its determination under the Canada Transportation Act. Pursuant to the Arrangement, shareholders of WestJet are entitled to receive $31.00 in cash for each share held at the effective time of the Arrangement. A form of letter of transmittal...