Airlines
WestJet Sale To Onex Gets Competition Bureau Approval
WestJet Airlines Ltd. has announced that the Canadian Competition Bureau has granted unconditional approval for WestJet's proposed transaction with Onex Corporation by issuing a no-action letter. Ed Sims, WestJet's president and chief executive officer, said, “Receiving unconditional approval from the Canadian Competition Bureau is another important step on our path to closing the transaction. We continue to engage with the relevant authorities on the remaining approvals.” The Arrangement is still subject to other conditions to closing, including receipt of the remaining...
New AC Montreal-Seattle Service Aboard Airbus A220-300
Air Canada has announced it will operate year-round, non-stop service between Montreal and Seattle on its newest narrowbody aircraft, the Airbus A220-300. The new flight, which offers customers Business and Economy class service with Air Canada's newest in-flight entertainment system, onboard WiFi and more, will start in the spring of 2020. Air Canada's two-class cabin on the A220 will have a total of 137 seats: 12 in a 2x2 configuration in Business Class and 125 in a 3x2 layout for Economy passengers. Every seat on the A220 features a Panasonic eX1 in-flight entertainment system...
Norwegian To Discontinue Transatlantic Routes
Norwegian will discontinue its transatlantic routes – which includes service from Hamilton, Ont., originally operated by the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft this September. The decision follows months of substitute aircraft and wetlease operations covering the airline’s routes due to the global grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft. There are no changes to the 46 nonstop routes operated by the Dreamliner from the United States to Europe. “Since March, we have tirelessly sought to minimize the impact on our customers by hiring, so called wetleasing, replacement aircraft to operate services...
One ID: A Step Closer To Reality
End-to-end seamless travel across borders came a step closer to reality when IATA member airlines meeting in Seoul for this year’s AGM unanimously resolved to accelerate the global implementation of the One ID initiative, which will be based on a single biometric identifier to move passengers through airports without the need for paper travel documents. Prior to the vote, IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac told delegates, “One ID will boost efficiency from check-in to boarding to the benefit of passengers, airports and control authorities.” “To make this happen we...
Hong Kong Airport Authority Obtains Injunction
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong has obtained an interim injunction to restrain persons from "unlawfully and wilfully" obstructing or interfering with the proper use of Hong Kong International Airport. Persons are also restrained from attending or participating in any demonstration or protest or public order event in the airport other than in the area designated by the Airport Authority. The interim injunction expressly provides that nothing in the interim injunction shall be construed as authorizing any demonstration, protest or public order event contrary to the Public Order...
WestJet Links Cranbrook With YVR
WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Link, will begin operating nonstop flights between Vancouver and Cranbrook, B.C., on Oct. 27. “This new route linking interior British Columbia with our Vancouver hub provides convenient travel options between the two areas and gives our guests in Cranbrook access to a second WestJet hub with connections across our entire network,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet vice-president Network Planning and Alliances. “WestJet is now providing the City of Cranbrook with the most flights and options to travel easily across the country and beyond.” With...
Air Canada Ups Its Bid For Transat
Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. ("Transat") have announced that Air Canada has agreed to increase the purchase price for the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Transat, from $13 to $18 per share and have amended the Arrangement Agreement dated June 27, 2019 accordingly. Based on the increased consideration, the value of the all-cash transaction is approximately $720 million. As well, Air Canada has entered into a lock-up and support agreement with Transat's largest shareholder, Letko Brosseau & Associates Inc., who beneficially owns or has control or direction...
Hamilton International Unveils New Website
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport has debuted its newly redesigned website at https://www.flyhamilton.ca. The new site features a modern design, enhanced navigation, improved functionality and enriched content for travellers, partners and stakeholders. Created with the user experience in mind, the airport’s new website includes new tools and features that allow users to quickly and easily navigate the site to find the information they are seeking. New tools include: Parking Fee Calculator: Receive a free estimate of your parking costs before arriving at the airport...