Airlines
Air Canada Enhances Atlantic Canada Services
Air Canada has introduced a host of enhancements to Atlantic Canada services this winter. Overall capacity will increase by 8% as some routes will transfer to Air Canada Rouge, and other Air Canada Rouge and mainline services will be extended to year-round. “Leisure travellers and business customers alike will benefit from these service enhancements which clearly demonstrate our commitment to these markets as we increase capacity on numerous routes in Atlantic Canada, which we have been serving year-round since 1942, longer than any other carrier,” said Mark Galardo,...
Swoop Off to San Diego
Swoop has introduced service to San Diego from Edmonton and Abbotsford, BC beginning Oct. 4. As a complement to its published winter schedule, Swoop has added three-times weekly service between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and three-times weekly service between Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) and San Diego International Airport (SAN). The non-stop San Diego routes are offered every Thursday, Friday and Sunday. “San Diego is an excellent addition to our winter line-up with a schedule that encourages weekend excursions by air,” said Karen McIsaac, senior advisor of...
Moving Ahead
WestJet and Delta Air Lines have received clearance under Canada's Competition Act from the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) for their proposed U.S. - Canada transborder joint venture. The CCB issued a no-action letter confirming that it does not intend to challenge the proposed joint venture agreement between WestJet and Delta Air Lines. Ed Sims, WestJet president and CEO, said that: “... Clearance by the CCB is an important step towards satisfying the conditions necessary to implement the proposed WestJet-Delta transborder joint venture.” Sims continued: “We thank the CCB...
IATA Urges Coordinated Effort On MAX
IATA is urging state aviation safety regulators to continue to align on technical validation requirements and timelines for the safe re-entry into service of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline industry association issued its statement following the conclusion of the second Boeing 737 MAX Summit organized by IATA. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's director general and CEO, said: “The Boeing 737 MAX tragedies weigh heavily on an industry that holds safety as its top priority. We trust the Federal Aviation Administration, in its role as the certifying regulator, to ensure the...
Kudos For Galardo
Air Canada is congratulating Mark Galardo, its vice president, network planning on his nomination as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for 2019, a recognition of exceptional achievements of 40 outstanding Canadians under the age of 40. With 15 years of experience at Air Canada, Galardo is a key member of the leadership at the airline's Montreal headquarters, overseeing the development and performance of Air Canada's globe-spanning network that consists of more than 1,500 daily flights to nearly 220 destinations. Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, senior vice-president, People, Culture and...
Absolutely Spectacular
There have been deals and there have been deals, but it is hard to find a comparison to the announcement that Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. have successfully concluded a definitive Arrangement Agreement that will see Air Canada acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Transat, resulting in its combination with Air Canada. It is absolutely spectacular. Under the terms of the binding agreement, unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Transat, Air Canada will acquire all outstanding shares of Transat for $13 per share. The value of the all-cash transaction is...
IATA Transforming The Customer Experience
IATA is urging aviation stakeholders to embrace data and digital transformation to help deliver a frictionless customer experience while enhancing safety and efficiency. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's director general and CEO, said: “We must transform paper-based and legacy processes into digital ones and use data to drive decision-making in all facets of our business. Organizational silos will need to be shed to ensure a holistic focus on the entire customer experience. And we will need to do all this while continuing to ensure the highest levels of safety, security and environmental...
Sky Bird Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
Sky Bird Travel is celebrating 10 years of doing business in Toronto. Arvin & Jaya Shah took their first steps into the travel industry from their kitchen table in Windsor Ontario. They quickly realized that there was a promising business opportunity and founded Sky Bird Travel across the border in Detroit in 1976. Arvin Shah has been at the helm ever since as the Chairman and CEO, successfully guiding the company through four decades of growth in an ever-changing business environment. Ten years ago Arvin and Jaya opened the doors to Sky Bird’s office in...