Airlines
WestJet Reports Q1 Results
WestJet has reported its first quarter results for 2019, with net earnings of $45.6 million, or $0.40 per fully diluted share compared with net earnings of $34.2 million, or $0.30 per fully diluted share reported in the first quarter of 2018. Ed Sims, president and CEO of WestJet, said of the results: “We remain confident in our strategic direction and continue to see positive trends as a result of our prudent growth and the strategic initiatives we are undertaking. I want to thank all of our guests for their continued loyalty and all WestJetters for their on-going...
Vacation Better With Sunwing
Sunwing is on the road these days, taking its Vacation Better Shows to Canadian agents to help them help their clients to Vacation Better. Press Today had a chance to ask the operator's vice-president of sales, Deana Murphy a number of questions about where agents fit in the company's plans; for some highlights of the new product that they were launching; for an update on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 situation; and, naturally, how they're different from the competition. Here's what Murphy had to say: Press Today: Can you talk about how big a role travel agents have played in the success...
It’s A Deal
Ninety-two percent of WestJet Encore pilots -- represented by the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) – have voted in favour of a five-year agreement with WestJet. The vote represents 90% of the 505 WestJet Encore pilots. The agreement starts January 1, 2019 and expires on January 1, 2024. John Aaron, vice-president, flight operations and general manager, WestJet Encore, said: “This agreement and outcome is beneficial for the long-term sustainability of WestJet, WestJet Encore pilots and all our WestJetters.” Aaron continued: “We thank ALPA and the ALPA Master Executive...
Air Canada Posts Strong Q1
Air Canada has reported first quarter 2019 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment) of $583 million compared to first quarter 2018 EBITDA of $504 million. The carrier also reported first quarter 2019 operating income of $127 million compared to first quarter 2018 operating income of $86 million. Adjusted pre-tax income amounted to $24 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to an adjusted pre-tax loss of $32 million in the first quarter of 2018. On a GAAP basis, the airline reported net income of $345 million in the first quarter...
WestJet Takes Off To Austin, Portland
WestJet has launched nonstop flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Calgary International Airport (YYC). Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer for WestJet, said: “We're thrilled to welcome the fun, funky and innovative city of Austin to the WestJet network. Including the just-launched destinations of Atlanta and Portland, these three key markets help diversify Alberta's economy, open new trade links and forge stronger connections between Alberta and these major destinations. We are pleased to share our caring Canadian spirit with Texans once...
Let The Renewal Begin
Air Transat has taken delivery of the first of 15 Airbus A321neoLRs that will be added to its fleet between now and 2022. Annick Guérard, chief operating officer at Transat, said that: “The arrival of this new generation of aircraft is an important moment for our company and our passengers in many respects.The Airbus A321neoLR represents what Air Transat stands for today and what we strive for in the coming years. It reinforces our position as a leader in sustainable tourism, while also offering our passengers a superior on-board experience. In addition, the aircraft's long range...
Austrian Launches Montreal-Vienna Service
Austrian Airlines has launched new, non-stop service between Vienna, Austria and Montreal. Flight OS 73 departs Vienna at 10:30 a.m. local time and arrives at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport at 1:35 p.m. local time. Eastbound flight OS 74 departs Montreal at 6:45 p.m. local time and lands in Vienna at 8.45 a.m. local time the following day. Daily service will go throughout the summer, followed by five times per week during the winter season. “We are pleased to feature this additional destination in our North American offering, which complements our dense...
EXCLUSIVE: BSAP Takes Off With FLYGTA
It was up, up and away – temporarily – on Wednesday for the winning ambassadors in this year's Baxter Student Ambassador Program. The travel students – who were from across the country – were given bird's-eye views of Toronto by Billy Bishop Airport-based FLYGTA Airlines, one of those feting the best and the brightest of travel students eager for a career in tourism. Chris Nowrouzi, FLYGTA Airlines' CEO, told Press Today that he believes travel students should consider a career in aviation. “The rewards are there if you're an innovator or an entrepreneur,” said...